Gezicht op de ingang van een ziekenhuis before 1897

This photograph of a hospital entrance was created by Christiaan Johan Neeb, using a process that was becoming increasingly widespread at the time. Photography, unlike painting or sculpture, democratized image-making, and its accessibility had a profound social impact. Here, the monochrome image, printed on a rectangular paper, captures a structure built of planks, a simple, repetitive design that reflects a pragmatic approach to building. The planks are stacked horizontally, forming a wall that is both barrier and facade. The limited tonal range and grainy texture, inherent to early photographic processes, add to the work's documentary feel. The photograph bears witness to a moment in time and a place dedicated to care and healing, all rendered through the repeatable, relatively accessible medium of photography. Recognizing this work as the product of photography requires us to expand our understanding of what constitutes art, and how social context shapes creative expression.