Gezicht op de oude St. Martinuskerk te Tongelre 1889

This photograph of the old St. Martinuskerk in Tongelre was made by an anonymous photographer from Monumentenzorg, using the wet collodion process. This early photographic technique involved coating a glass plate with light-sensitive chemicals, exposing it in a camera, and then developing it immediately. The resulting image, captured on a fragile glass support, is characterized by its soft focus and subtle tonal range. What is significant here, is that photography at this time was being employed as a tool for documentation, particularly by organizations like Monumentenzorg, dedicated to preserving cultural heritage. The wet collodion process, while technically demanding, allowed for the detailed recording of architectural landmarks like the St. Martinuskerk, capturing not only its physical form but also its texture and material qualities. Photography democratized art, as there was less emphasis on the hand of the artist and more on the ability to capture the world as it is. This changed the hierarchy of the art world, where photography was often not considered art.