Schietgat van de Burcht van Leiden 1891

This photograph of the "Schietgat van de Burcht van Leiden" was taken by an anonymous photographer from Monumentenzorg. The bricks used to make the arch and the wall have a reddish-brown color, and a rough, matte texture. Bricks, as humble building blocks, have deep social and cultural significance. They're made from simple materials like clay, which is mixed with water and then fired in a kiln. The process of brickmaking has long been associated with manual labor, often performed by working-class individuals. This photograph, taken by the Dutch agency for the care of national monuments, is as much about preservation as it is about highlighting the beauty and the long-lasting quality of craft involved in bricklaying. Recognizing the inherent value in everyday materials and processes challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft. It acknowledges the labor and skill involved in creating even the most functional objects, and reminds us that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places.