Gezicht op de Sint-Pancratiuskerk te Diever 1898

This photograph of the Sint-Pancratiuskerk in Diever was made anonymously, probably as part of a project to document monuments. It is a silver gelatin print, a process that involves coating a base material with light-sensitive chemicals and then exposing it to light through a negative. In this case, the material is paper. The tonal range, from light to dark, is produced by varying densities of metallic silver formed during the development process. This creates a range of sepia tones that are particularly nice to look at. Although we don't know much about the photographer, it’s clear that they wanted to carefully record the church, paying close attention to its architectural details. The photographic process itself involved precision and care, much like the craftsmanship that went into constructing the church itself. Paying attention to the materials and processes used in both photography and architecture helps us to understand their cultural significance. It's a reminder that all art and design objects are the result of skilled labor and creative choices.