Detail van de afgebrande Hervormde Kerk te Harmelen 1900

This photograph, titled 'Detail van de afgebrande Hervormde Kerk te Harmelen,' was taken by an anonymous photographer working for Monumentenzorg. It shows the fire-damaged church, focusing on its brick construction, and drawing our attention to the traces of intense heat and structural degradation. The use of bricks speaks to a time-honored building method, one that requires considerable labor in production and assembly. Each brick is molded, fired, and then meticulously laid, a testament to the dedication of skilled artisans. The damage shown here speaks to the fragility of human endeavor, as fire, an elemental force, has undone so much careful work. In considering this image, we can reflect on the way that materials and processes are inextricably linked to questions of labor, resilience, and the stories that objects can tell about the societies that produce them.