Façade van Kerkplein 39 te Hoorn 1893

This photograph of Façade van Kerkplein 39 te Hoorn was taken by an anonymous photographer from Monumentenzorg. The image is a study in brick and stone. The rough hewn surfaces speak to the realities of building in an urban environment. Brick is one of the most common building materials. It is made from clay, fired in a kiln, and is inherently modular. This allows for relatively fast construction, but is labor intensive, as each individual brick must be laid by hand. The same can be said for the stonework, which is dressed and carved into decorative features. Notice the sharp contrasts between the smooth, carved stone and the rougher brick. In the late 19th century, photography documented architecture in a way that stonecutters and bricklayers, the true artisans, could not. The photographer’s skill is evident, but should not overshadow the skilled work of the building's original makers. The photograph flattens and abstracts the materials, while the building itself embodies the work of many hands.