Gedeelte van het oude Beyart klooster te Maastricht 1893

This albumen print shows ‘Part of the old Beyart monastery in Maastricht’ and was made by an anonymous photographer. Note how the photographer captured the monastery. The building is seen straight on, its geometry dominating the composition. The facade is a study in horizontals and verticals, a grid-like pattern formed by the roofline, walls and the rhythm of the windows. This structure contrasts with the organic forms of the trees in the foreground. Consider how the sepia tones influence our perception. The limited tonal range creates a sense of distance, softening the details and flattening the space. This emphasis on the flatness of the image recalls the debates of the late 19th century, questioning photography's ability to faithfully represent reality. The photograph becomes less about pure representation and more about surface and form. Even in its straightforward depiction, the image invites us to consider the interplay between the depicted subject and the act of its depiction.