Oude brug 1903 - 1913

This black and white photograph depicts an old bridge, made by an anonymous artist. It is constructed from roughly hewn timber. The bridge's material, raw and unrefined, dictates its form. The round logs and roughly sawn planks haven’t been regularized; their irregularities give the bridge an organic, almost precarious quality. You can see the marks of labor in every element, from the notched supports to the layered deck. This is more than just a way to cross a river; it's a testament to practical engineering. The bridge reflects an intimate understanding of the material, transforming readily available resources into infrastructure. Here, the line between craft and necessity blurs. This bridge, seemingly utilitarian, possesses an inherent aesthetic value born from the ingenuity and resourcefulness of its making. Appreciating this image of the bridge means recognizing the artistry embedded in everyday solutions, challenging traditional definitions of art and craft.