Capri c. 20th century

Karl Struss made this photograph, Capri, at an unknown date. The sepia tones are gorgeous, lending a softness and a dreamy quality to the image. You can almost feel Struss, tucked away in a quiet corner of the island, patiently composing his shot. I imagine him fiddling with his camera, waiting for the perfect light to capture the villa nestled into the cliffside. It's a dance between the natural and the built environment. The architecture seems to emerge from the rock face itself. There’s an interesting interplay of light and shadow; it’s more than just a depiction of a place—it’s an evocation of mood. The way Struss handles the tonal range reminds me a little of Alfred Stieglitz, especially in his cloud studies. Artists like Struss and Stieglitz were in constant dialogue, pushing photography towards new forms of seeing. When we engage with art, we enter into a space of ongoing exchange. We keep the conversation alive, and our questions change over time.