Fontein van sultan Ahmed III, Istanboel 1861 - 1870

This is a photograph of the Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III in Istanbul, captured by Charles Gaudin. Notice the intricate calligraphy that adorns the fountain; these are not mere decorations but potent symbols. Script, particularly in Islamic art, serves as a sacred embodiment of divine knowledge, echoing through the ages from the earliest illuminated manuscripts to modern expressions. Consider how the written word, much like water itself, flows and adapts. The stylized script here carries echoes of ancient traditions, yet it resurfaces, reformed, in diverse cultural contexts. This motif reminds us that images are never truly new, but rather palimpsests layered with historical and cultural echoes. They awaken collective memories, engaging us on a subconscious level with the past made present. The fountain as a source of water suggests the emotional wellspring of collective memory.