Bas-reliëf van Fatali Shah in rots, Perzië Possibly 1925

This black and white photograph by A.G.A. van Eelde captures a rock carving in Persia, and you can see the action of the hunter and his prey etched into the stone. There is a feeling of deep time here, both in the image and the image itself, which feels like a document of a document. The marks in this carving are confident and bold, with the artist unafraid to commit to strong lines and defined forms. This direct approach creates a sense of immediacy and power, drawing us into the scene. I am really drawn to the way the surface is slightly damaged and how this adds a feeling of texture and age to the scene. Seeing this piece makes me think of Picasso, particularly his use of simple lines to convey complex ideas. Like Picasso, the artist here reduces forms to their most essential elements, inviting us to fill in the gaps with our own imaginations. This carving reminds us that art is an ongoing conversation, constantly evolving and reinterpreting the past.