Centraal Station gezien naar het noordoosten met op de voorgrond een schip before 1907

This photograph of Centraal Station seen from the northeast with a ship in the foreground was taken by Andries Jager. It's a small photograph, only 94 by 133 mm, but it captures a vast scene. I can just imagine Jager setting up his camera, carefully composing the shot, and waiting for the right moment to capture the bustling activity of the port. What was it like to witness this transformation firsthand? The station stands tall and imposing, a symbol of progress and modernity. Think about how Jager might have been thinking about light and shadow, trying to capture the atmosphere of the moment and what this photo meant to him. The sepia tones lend a nostalgic feel, reminding us of a bygone era. And the details—the people, the boats, the architecture—all contribute to the story of a city in constant motion. I guess that's what all artists want to do. It’s a wonderful photo from an artist who worked in other media too, and I like how the image feels like it's in conversation with other depictions of modern life at the time.