Toren van de Hervormde Kerk te Zuidland 1904

This is a photograph of the Toren van de Hervormde Kerk te Zuidland made by an anonymous photographer. It's fascinating how the sepia tones evoke a sense of history and timelessness. Look at the way the light filters through the trees, softening the edges of the brick tower, it feels like a memory. You can almost feel the photographer carefully composing the shot, playing with the contrast between the solid structure and the organic forms of the trees. The textures are so interesting here. The rough brickwork of the tower juxtaposed with the smooth surface of the paper gives this image a tactile quality that makes you want to reach out and touch it. It reminds me a bit of some of the architectural studies made by Bernd and Hilla Becher, in that both use a photographic record to create a sense of quiet monumentality. It’s a beautiful reminder that art doesn’t always have to shout – sometimes, it can whisper.