Interieur van de Sint-Bavokerk te Aardenburg 1909

This photogravure of the Sint-Bavokerk in Aardenburg was made in 1909 by an anonymous photographer. The limited tonal range, mostly whites and grays, lends a softness to the image. It’s interesting how the light falls in this photo, sort of revealing and concealing at the same time. The surfaces of the arches and pillars have a granular texture, which might be from the printing process itself, or perhaps it’s how the light interacts with the actual plaster of the church. I keep coming back to that central pillar. The way the light hits it makes it seem almost like a solid, impenetrable form. It’s like a visual anchor that holds the composition together. Looking at this piece, I’m reminded of some of the early architectural photographs of Eugène Atget, with his emphasis on capturing the texture of surfaces and the play of light. But of course, this piece has its own distinct character, its own quiet sense of reverence.