Boulogne III c. 1900 - 1910

This image of Boulogne III was made by Henricus Jacobus Tollens, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century, using a photographic process. What I see here is a very process-oriented approach, not only in the subject matter, which depicts industrial machinery, but also the artist's engagement with capturing a specific moment in time. The tonal range in this piece feels very sensitive and precise. The texture of the water is almost palpable, the contrast between the solid, geometric forms of the machinery and the fluid, reflective surface of the water is really interesting. Look at the way the light catches the edges of the pier. It’s all about capturing the interplay between man-made structures and the natural environment. This reminds me a little of some of Bernd and Hilla Becher's work, who methodically documented industrial structures. But where the Becher's sought to remove any trace of the personal, Tollens’ image feels like a very human interaction with a changing world. It invites us to reflect on the relationship between industry, nature, and the act of seeing itself, acknowledging ambiguity and multiple interpretations rather than a fixed meaning.