Vue de la Ville Chinoise (Cholen) Feuille No. 6, Saïgon, Cochinchine 1866

Emile Gsell captured this view of Cholon, Saigon, with his camera, immortalizing a scene brimming with cultural and historical significance. The river, a serpentine vein, dominates the composition, flanked by dwellings on stilts. Note the boats; these are not mere vessels but potent symbols of passage, trade, and the ebb and flow of life itself. Across cultures, water has always been regarded as both a purifier and a conduit, linking one realm to another. In ancient Egypt, the Nile was the giver of life; in Greek mythology, the River Styx marked the boundary of the underworld. Here, the river reflects a similar duality, mirroring the everyday activities of Cholon, while hinting at deeper, more profound currents. Consider how such watery landscapes reappear throughout art history, bearing witness to humanity's unending dialogue with nature. The artist has tapped into a primal source, engaging our subconscious recognition of water’s pivotal role in shaping civilizations and human destiny. These symbols, imbued with collective memory, evoke a potent emotional and psychological response, a testament to their enduring power.