Nieuwe Maas c. 1900 - 1910

This photograph of Nieuwe Maas, possibly taken in the early 20th century by Henricus Jacobus Tollens, is a study in black and white. I imagine him carefully setting up his equipment, composing the shot to capture the magnitude of the bridge and the industrial activity on the water. I wonder, what was he thinking as he framed this scene? Was he fascinated by the engineering of the bridge, or perhaps drawn to the patterns created by the water? Or maybe he was trying to tell a deeper story about industry or urbanization. Looking at the surface, there's a stillness, yet the subject itself implies movement and construction. I appreciate how the artist manages to give a sense of place and time through this frozen moment. The tonal range, though limited, is rich enough to suggest depth and texture, inviting us to consider what lies beyond the immediate view. It's a reminder that every artist, regardless of their medium, is in conversation with the world around them, interpreting and transforming it through their unique vision.