Gezicht op de tuinen van het Koninklijk Paleis van Sevilla 1890 - 1930

This is a photograph of the gardens of the Royal Alcázar of Seville, taken by Rafael Garzón, probably using an early photographic process to produce its sepia tones. It's interesting how photography, even this early version, is so good at capturing the textures of a place. Look at the wall on the right, and the way the light catches the rough stones. Think about how the photographer might have wandered those gardens, looking for the right spot to capture this perspective, and how that in itself is a form of drawing. The muted palette gives a timeless feel, but it also invites us to imagine the vibrant greens and floral colours that must have been present. It reminds me of Edward Steichen’s photographs, with their moody atmosphere, revealing the beauty of ordinary scenes. It shows how even a documentary image can be a work of creative interpretation.