Spoorbrug over de Ci Somang in aanbouw 1932

This black and white photograph, titled 'Spoorburg over de Ci Somang in aanbouw' of a bridge under construction, is found in the archive of the Rijksmuseum. The image has this fantastic quality, almost like a drawing, perhaps a study or a plan. The linear scaffolding reaches skyward from the rough-hewn excavation in the landscape, the geometry offering a sharp contrast to the grainy hillside. I’m struck by the way the anonymous photographer, in capturing this construction site, seems to be reaching for an understanding of the process of the bridge-building. It reminds me of that feeling of seeing a drawing where you can literally feel the artist working through something. Think of Bernd and Hilla Becher's documentation of industrial structures, but with a raw, immediate feel. The photograph embraces imperfection, and through it, reveals something profound about human endeavor. It’s a testament to the beauty found in the act of making.