Noordzijde van de Dorpskerk te Poortugaal 1902

This vintage photograph shows the North side of the village church in Poortugaal. The image, made by an anonymous photographer, probably for Monumentenzorg, shows a building in mid-repair, where the making becomes the subject. There's something so interesting about how photography captures light. Here, the muted palette of browns and grays gives everything a soft, almost dreamlike quality. The church's facade, with its three windows, is the main focus, but it's the ladder leaning against the building that really grabs my attention. It’s such a humble, practical object amidst all this history and architecture. It speaks of human effort and intervention. I love how the bare branches in the foreground add another layer of texture and depth. This piece reminds me of Eugène Atget, who documented the streets of Paris. Both share a fascination with the everyday and a keen eye for detail. This image isn’t just a record, it’s a moment in time, a story waiting to be told.