Werkplaats met de Vulcain Possibly 1907

Henricus Jacobus Tollens captured this photograph of 'Werkplaats met de Vulcain'. It's a study in grey, a monochromatic world where tones tell the story. There's a real love for documenting the industrial landscape here, and you can see the process not just of building something, but of image-making itself. Look closely at the composition. The contrast between the light sky and the darker structures creates a strong sense of depth, and it's all about texture. It's about the rough surfaces of the buildings, the smooth expanse of water, the play of light on the crane. It's almost tactile, like you could reach out and feel the grit of the factory. The lone figure standing in the middle ground adds a human element, a sense of scale, to the vast industrial scene. It reminds me a little bit of Atget, capturing the poetry of everyday life. There's a conversation happening across time, between artists who are interested in looking, documenting, and finding beauty in unexpected places.