Tolhuis te Gorinchem 1890 - 1915

This image of the Tolhuis in Gorinchem, was made with a camera, at some point. The artist remains unknown, which I find intriguing. The tones are muted, almost monochromatic, giving the photograph a timeless, ethereal quality. The details in the brickwork and the subtle gradations of light and shadow emphasize the building's structure. This reminds me of the way we build up layers in a painting, adjusting tones and textures until we achieve the desired effect. Look at the shadows around the windows. The nuanced transitions suggest a slow, deliberate process of capturing light, transforming something solid into something dreamlike. The image, as a whole, makes me think of the way Agnes Martin uses subtle variations in color and line to create a sense of calm and contemplation. And, like all great art, it resists easy answers, inviting us to linger and look again.