Gezicht op de Toerijstuin richting de Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk te Rotterdam 1900 - 1920

Here's G. Hidderley's sepia toned photograph of Rotterdam. It's a quiet scene, full of lovely details, capturing the Toerijstuin leading to the Grote or Sint-Laurenskerk. I imagine Hidderley carefully composing the shot, framing the majestic church tower against the intricate metal bridge and the still canal. Look at how the buildings on the right mirror the church in the background, creating a rhythmic balance. The light, diffused and soft, suggests perhaps an early morning or a cloudy day, enhancing the reflective surfaces of the water. I wonder what Hidderley thought about as they developed this photograph in the darkroom? About the architecture? About the people who lived and worked in this area of Rotterdam? This photograph reminds me of other cityscapes I've seen by Eugène Atget, who also meticulously documented urban environments with a similar eye for detail and atmosphere. Artists, after all, are in constant conversation across time, each piece building on the last. This artwork is a perfect expression of a moment in time!