Bestek nr. 217, dienst 1903, 1905 Possibly 1904 - 1928

This photograph, *Bestek nr. 217, dienst 1903, 1905*, was taken by Arnaud Pistoor & Zoon, sometime around 1905, and it seems to be a record of a construction project. The limited tonal range gives it a hushed, documentary feel. You know, like holding a faded memory in your hands. The photograph’s surface has this incredible, almost dreamy quality, a testament to the early photographic process. It's a study in greys, silvers, and muted whites. See how the light catches the water, giving it a shimmering, almost liquid texture. And then there's that bridge or pier extending into the distance. It’s like a line drawn in space, full of human endeavour, like a faint sketch in a giant’s notebook. This image reminds me a little of some of Bernd and Hilla Becher’s industrial photography. But while they were interested in the objectivity of form, Pistoor & Zoon captured something more fleeting and wistful. Art, at its best, I think, captures these transient moments, inviting us to pause and reflect on the passage of time.