Travee aan de noordzijde van de Marktpleinkerk te Winschoten 1893

This photograph of the north side of the Marktpleinkerk in Winschoten was produced by an anonymous photographer working for Monumentenzorg, the Dutch heritage agency. It captures a seemingly straightforward view of the church, framed by trees and a low fence. However, this image is far from neutral. Monumentenzorg was established to identify and protect buildings and sites of historical and cultural significance. This photograph, then, is an act of preservation through documentation. It tells us something about the perceived importance of the Marktpleinkerk, likely due to its architectural style or role in the community of Winschoten. The choice to focus on the north side, the angle of the shot, and even the time of year when the photo was taken, are all decisions that reflect the agency's values. To fully understand this image, we need to investigate the history of Monumentenzorg, the architectural history of the church, and the cultural landscape of Winschoten. We begin to see how the photograph itself participates in the making of cultural heritage.