Gezicht op het weeshuis aan de Westerstraat in Enkhuizen 1871 - 1891

Curator: It strikes me as a very solemn portrait, almost austere, of an impressive building. It fills nearly the entire frame and conveys permanence. Editor: This is a photograph entitled "Gezicht op het weeshuis aan de Westerstraat in Enkhuizen," which translates to "View of the orphanage on Westerstraat in Enkhuizen." Gerrit Dirk Siewers captured this cityscape sometime between 1871 and 1891. It’s rendered in a very tangible, textural way through photography, really showing the craft involved. Curator: The building dominates. It has the gravitas of an institution, wouldn't you agree? Its architectural details really show how philanthropy was embodied in monumental, permanent structures at the time. I wonder how the orphanage fit into the social fabric of the city. Editor: Absolutely. And I'm immediately drawn to the materiality of that brickwork—you can practically feel the texture, see the individual bricks that create the grand structure, even through the lens of the camera. It gives me a very real sense of the labour involved in its construction and maintenance. This isn't just about design. Curator: I'm fascinated by the intricate sculptural details above the doorway. They communicate important social ideals in visual form. And also that placement. That carefully designed doorway almost demands a reconsideration of the moral standing of anyone passing through, wouldn't you say? It's practically a moral checkpoint. Editor: Possibly. And to me, it emphasizes how buildings reflect values, made evident through physical things: bricks, ornamentation, sculptural components… the sheer volume of materials devoted to this orphanage sends its own material message about a commitment to care. I am seeing craft embedded within its institutional history. Curator: Seeing the picture, I'm thinking a lot about this image and about Enkhuizen as a locale of philanthropic duty. It would be intriguing to dig into the civic policies that drove the establishment of such a grand orphanage. Editor: I agree; what an interesting convergence of institutional power and materiality this image depicts. It certainly leaves one considering how those materials helped support the moral fabric of Enkhuizen at that time.