Portaal van de Pieterskerk te Leiden 1879 - 1915

Jan Goedeljee made this photograph of the Pieterskerk portal in Leiden some time in the 19th century. The Pieterskerk, or Saint Peter’s church, was an important monument in the Netherlands. It was a landmark, but also an institution with a long and complicated history. Goedeljee’s photograph highlights the monumental and enduring architecture of the church. The visual codes refer to the church's history, including its role as a Catholic church, then a Protestant one, and finally its use as a secular event space. The photograph thus reflects the shifting social, political, and religious currents in Dutch society over the centuries. To better understand the image, we could consult archives, historical societies, and libraries to learn more about the history of the church. Art isn't made in a vacuum. We need to understand the social and institutional histories that give it meaning.