Preekstoel in de Hervormde Kerk te Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht 1890 - 1920

This photograph captures a pulpit in the Reformed Church at Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, made by an anonymous photographer. There's a real attention to detail in the way the light falls, creating these gentle transitions and soft shadows. When I look at this image, I think about the physicality of making things. This photograph has such an interesting texture. The photographer really captures the depth of the carved wood. Notice how the ornament on the side of the pulpit is slightly blurred, drawing our eyes to the play of light and shadow. It feels like the picture is a process of revealing this small detail bit by bit. Photographs, like paintings, are never just about one thing. They are about looking, seeing, and taking your time. Maybe that’s why it reminds me a little of Atget, who dedicated his life to documenting the architecture of Paris. Both artists embrace ambiguity, allowing the meaning of their work to shift and evolve with each viewer.