Interieur van de Oude Kerk te Amsterdam 1911

This photograph of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam was taken by an anonymous photographer from the Monumentenzorg (Historic Preservation Department). It's a humble reminder that images, like objects, are always made through specific means of production. This photograph would have been made with a large format camera using glass plate negatives. The sepia tone comes from the photographic chemistry of the time. This choice speaks to the status of photography in the early 20th century. Was it a means of documentation, a scientific tool, or an artistic endeavor? The photographer, working for Monumentenzorg, likely saw the work as technical, made to record information about the building. Yet, the composition reveals a careful sensibility. The pews in the foreground, the massive organ in the distance, the light filtering through the windows. All these elements remind us that seeing is itself a form of making. By emphasizing the material processes and historical context, we recognize how the photographer's choices shape our perception and appreciation of the artwork.