Dennis Severs was an artist (1948-1999) who used his house and his visitors' imaginations as his canvas. He lived at 18 Folgate Street, London E1, in much the same way as its original occupants might have done in the early 18th century.

Visitors travel in silence through the rooms of the house, which Dennis individually created as 'still life dramas' – each room giving the impression that the inhabitants have just left the room. Dennis wrote: 'Whether you see it or you don't – the house's ten rooms harbour ten 'spells' that engage the visitor's imagination in moods that dominated the periods between 1724 and 1914. Your senses are your guide.'

The house is now known as Dennis Severs House and is maintained as Dennis wanted by The Spitalfields Trust, whom he bequeathed the house to on his death in 1999.

Bakker met Dennis several times in the 1990s and was honoured to be asked by the Trust to record the house's interiors. He worked with David Milne, the house curator, on this series of photographs, recording the atmosphere and lighting as Dennis intended.

Many thanks to David Milne, Mick Pedroli and Lindsay Friend at Dennis Severs House. For more information, visit www.dennissevershouse.co.uk