Gezicht op de Dorpskerk te Poortugaal 1902

This muted photograph captures the Dorpskerk in Poortugaal, and was made by someone at Monumentenzorg. I imagine the photographer setting up their camera, probably a large format one. The light is flat and even, creating a soft, dreamy feel. I wonder what the photographer was thinking as they composed this shot? The composition is carefully balanced, drawing the eye up the building. I can almost feel the cold air and the stillness of the day. The photograph is sepia-toned, which makes it feel old and timeless, like a memory fading into the past. This image reminds me a bit of Karl Blossfeldt’s botanical studies. There’s a similar attention to detail and a desire to document the world around us. Ultimately, it is a testament to the power of observation, and the ability of art to connect us to the world and each other.