Interieur van de Hervormde Kerk van Noordwijk-Binnen 1901

This photographic print shows the interior of the Hervormde Kerk van Noordwijk-Binnen, and was made by an anonymous photographer. I imagine the photographer setting up their camera, fiddling with the lens, trying to capture the light just right. Isn’t it amazing how the cool tones make you feel like you’re right there in the church? The photographer captures the grandeur and sacredness of the space by using strong verticals and horizontals, forming the pillars and the pews. They’re probably thinking about how light falls, how shadows dance, and how to freeze a moment in time. It reminds me of other artists who’ve tried to capture the essence of a place, like the Dutch Masters with their landscapes. It’s like they’re all in conversation, across time, about how we see and experience the world. Photography and painting, both ways of trying to understand our place in the world. It’s a beautiful, ongoing exchange of ideas.