Gezicht op het hoekhuis van de Korte Vijverberg en de Doelenstraat te Den Haag before 1909

This photograph of Gezicht op het hoekhuis was taken in Den Haag, though the artist remains anonymous. It's a stark, monochrome image, a study in light and shadow that feels both precise and a little haunted. I'm drawn to the repetitive architecture: rows of windows, each a dark rectangle, create a rhythmic pattern that's only interrupted by the building's quirky gabled roof. The texture is smooth, almost clinical, emphasizing the geometric forms. The high contrast lends a sense of drama, but the muted palette keeps it restrained. There is a sense of absence about the work, despite the urban context. This reminds me a little of Edward Hopper’s images of American cities: both artists evoke a sense of isolation and quiet melancholy. Ultimately, it's the photograph’s stillness that stays with me, a frozen moment in time that invites endless contemplation.