Gezichten op de Grote of Lebuïnuskerk en de Munt te Deventer 1932 - 1939

Herman Besselaar captured these views of the Grote of Lebuïnuskerk en de Munt te Deventer, probably sometime in the middle of the 20th century with a camera and film. This collection of photographs, neatly arranged on a dark grey page, gives us a peek into Besselaar’s way of seeing. The black and white tones create a sense of distance, almost like a memory. Look at the interior shot of the church, the way the light streams in, highlighting the vaulted ceilings. You can almost feel the cool stillness of the space. Arranging photographs like this reminds me of a sketchbook, it’s like he's saying "look at this, and this, and this…" inviting us to piece together our own narrative. Like the work of Bernd and Hilla Becher, the seriality lends a scientific edge to the work, yet there is also something idiosyncratic in this personal collection. It’s a quiet, reflective piece, hinting at the stories these buildings hold, and the way we connect to them through images.