Oostzijde van de Hervormde Kerk te Heelsum 1890 - 1920

This is an old photograph of the East side of the Reformed Church in Heelsum. There's something about this image, the way the light just barely grazes the brick, that feels so painterly. It's as if the camera is trying to do what paint does so well: to capture the elusive quality of light and atmosphere, and translate into texture. Look at how the monotone palette softens the hard edges of the building. The bricks of the church melt into each other, making the building feel alive, like the skin of something breathing. My eye is drawn to the rounded window, a dark, simple void that hints at the secrets within. The rough texture makes me think of Agnes Martin, although she used those muted tones for a totally different affect. Ultimately, both artworks remind us that art is an ongoing conversation, full of echoes, reverberations, and happy accidents.