Gezicht op de Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri in Pisa 1889 - 1893

Johanna Margaretha Piek created this image of the Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri in Pisa using the techniques of photography. Now, photography in the late 19th and early 20th century was more than just pointing and shooting. It demanded a deep understanding of chemistry, optics, and the manipulation of light and shadow. Piek would have been intimately involved in the darkroom processes – preparing the light-sensitive materials, carefully timing the exposure, and painstakingly developing the print to achieve the desired tonal range and clarity. What's fascinating is that photography, like other forms of craft, involved a blend of technical skill and artistic vision. The photographer had to master the tools and materials of the trade, but also bring a personal aesthetic to the composition, framing, and interpretation of the subject. The photograph captures the details of the architecture, the texture of the stone, and the play of light across the facade, freezing a moment in time. By emphasizing the importance of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork, we challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.