Untitled c. 20th century

This photograph, made by Félix sometime in the late nineteenth century, looks like it was caught at midday. The scene is sun-bleached. I'm imagining him loading the glass plate into the camera, adjusting the lens, waiting for the right moment. What was he thinking when he made this picture? The print renders a courtyard in what I imagine is Morocco. There are architectural details, patterns, and textures that are mesmerizing. The stark lighting flattens the image, giving it a strangely modern feel. You can see a group of people resting against one of the walls, but it is the architecture that draws the eye: the meticulous geometric shapes are the main event here. The light and shadow help describe the depth, turning a flat image into a believable, three-dimensional space. Isn't it wonderful how artists, no matter their medium, are always talking to one another across time, trading ideas and inspiring creativity?