Cadettenschool te Alkmaar 1893

This photograph, taken in Alkmaar by C. van der Aa and J. Chrispijn, documents the Cadettenschool under construction. The image’s sepia tones, achieved through chemical processes, lend a sense of historical distance. Notice how the scene captures not just the buildings, but also the raw materials and labor involved in their creation. The scaffolding and exposed timber reveal the effort of construction, a reminder of the many hands that shaped this place. The photograph itself, as a mass-reproducible medium, reflects broader industrial advancements. Consider, too, how the image freezes a moment of transformation. The Cadettenschool is not yet complete, but in progress, symbolizing both aspiration and the physical exertion required to realize it. By attending to the materials, processes, and social context of this photograph, we gain a richer understanding of its meaning, bridging the gap between art and craft.