Restanten van de Stenen Beer of Westpoort te Sluis 1902

This photograph of the remnants of the Stone Bear of Westpoort in Sluis, was probably made to document the conservation of the monument. The monument is made of stone and brick, materials that speak to the labour involved in quarrying, transporting and laying them. Consider how the walls were constructed, stone by stone, brick by brick, by the hands of countless workers. The sheer scale of the structure indicates a significant investment of labor and resources. These structures once stood as a testament to human ingenuity and collective effort. The photograph itself, though a modern medium, captures the enduring presence of these materials, their texture, weight, and form bearing witness to the passage of time. By focusing on materials and processes, we can see how the monument is not just an architectural marvel, but also a reflection of social and economic realities.