Gezicht op een kerk te Baardwijk 1906

This silver gelatin print depicts a church in Baardwijk, and was created by an anonymous photographer from Monumentenzorg. This image, like many architectural photographs, presents a specific perspective on cultural heritage, subtly shaping our understanding of history and place. Monumentenzorg, dedicated to preserving historical sites, plays a role in defining what is deemed worthy of preservation, and, by extension, what narratives are perpetuated. Consider the absence of people in the photograph. The focus on the physical structure emphasizes permanence and stability, but it can also erase the experiences of the individuals who inhabited and interacted with the space. The sepia tones lend a sense of nostalgia, yet we must question whose nostalgia is being invoked? How does the act of photographing and preserving a church affect the sense of community for the people connected to it? The photograph invites us to reflect on the selective nature of historical preservation and the stories it chooses to tell, as well as those left untold.