Noordzijde van de Dorpskerk te Poortugaal 1902

This old photograph captures the north side of the village church in Poortugaal. The sepia tone, like a memory fading, is crucial here, as it invites us to consider photography's role in preserving moments and histories. Look at how the light delicately etches out the texture of the brickwork and the subtle gradations across the roof tiles. There's a real sense of the hand in this, even though it's a photograph. The way the light caresses the window, almost obscuring the details, speaks to the passage of time and the way it softens even the most solid structures. The simplicity of the composition reminds me of some of the early modernist photographers like Eugène Atget, who documented the streets of Paris with a similar, almost reverent, gaze. It's a quiet piece, encouraging us to reflect on the interplay between light, shadow, and architectural form. It asks us to consider the stories embedded in these old walls.