Drie monumenten op het terrein van de United States Naval Academy te Annapolis before 1890

This is Edward H. Hart’s photographic composition titled "Drie monumenten op het terrein van de United States Naval Academy te Annapolis". The arrangement immediately strikes us: three black-and-white images, each depicting a monument, are presented within distinct geometric shapes—a circle, a square, and a diamond. This juxtaposition isn't merely decorative; it imposes a formal structure that invites a deeper consideration of how each monument relates to the others and to the overall composition. The choice of these particular shapes and their arrangement could be interpreted as a comment on the nature of representation itself. By framing the monuments in such a deliberate manner, Hart draws our attention to the act of seeing and the way in which perspective can shape our understanding. Is the artist questioning the fixed, singular view of history? The geometric forms in this composition create a visual dialogue. It invites us to decode the symbolism embedded within both the monuments and their carefully constructed presentation. This is a work where form becomes a critical component of its meaning, encouraging us to reflect on the way we perceive history and memorialization.