Gezicht op de oude Sint-Martinuskerk te Cuijk 1910

This anonymous photo shows the old Sint-Martinuskerk in Cuijk. It’s dated February 1910. Looking at this grey scale image, I'm struck by the contrast between the church's formidable, fortress-like appearance and the graveyard in front of it. Maybe the photographer was thinking about the solemnity of such a place. You can almost hear the wind whistling through the bare trees. The artist chose a low angle, emphasizing the church's height and imposing presence. The gravestones are stark, each one marking a life lived and lost. It makes me wonder, what was it like to live in this place, in that time? What did people hope for, what did they fear? The picture is quiet and still, inviting reflection on the passage of time and the weight of history.