Toren van de Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek te Maastricht 1893

This is a photograph of the tower of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek in Maastricht, made at an unknown date, by an anonymous photographer working for Monumentenzorg. Photography, like architecture, is very much tied to capitalism and labour. Think about the work that goes into capturing and producing an image. The photographer here, though anonymous, has used their skills to document this significant tower. The monochrome palette emphasizes the texture and weight of the ancient stone structure, highlighting its architectural form. Each stone block in the tower was carefully hewn, shaped, and laid by skilled hands, reflecting centuries of craft tradition. The photograph itself is a product of industrial processes, involving chemistry, optics, and paper manufacturing. It serves as an example of how both monumental architecture and the tools used to represent them are tied to wider social issues of labour and politics. Recognizing the relationship between materials, making, and context is key to understanding the full meaning of this work.