Gezicht op de Valkhofkapel (Sint-Nicolaaskapel) in Nijmegen met vooraan links de schaduw van de fotograaf 1870

This photograph of the Valkhof Chapel in Nijmegen was taken by Julius Cornelius Schaarwächter, a Dutch photographer active in the late 19th century. Schaarwächter was part of a generation that saw photography not just as documentation, but as a means of artistic expression. Captured here is more than just a building; it's a landscape imbued with layers of history. The chapel itself, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, stands as a testament to the religious narratives that have shaped the region. What is interesting is to consider the shadow of the photographer, cast in the corner of the frame, hinting at the presence and perspective of the artist—a subtle reminder of the subjective nature of photography itself. Consider how the shadow might represent the photographer's own identity and relationship to the scene.