Great Pagoda at Foochow, the Largest in China 1869

John Thomson created this silver print photograph, "Great Pagoda at Foochow, the Largest in China," around 1870. The scene is dominated by the pagoda itself, a multi-tiered tower that rises with an organic rhythm. Its structure appears to defy gravity, yet the formal composition emphasizes the play of light and shadow across its form. Thomson uses linear perspective to draw the eye upwards, accentuating the building's verticality. The surrounding structures serve as a base, rooting the pagoda in its environment while simultaneously contrasting with its soaring presence. The monochromatic tones, combined with the composition, evoke a sense of timelessness, capturing not just a structure but a cultural and philosophical idea. The photograph prompts questions about the relationship between the earthly and the spiritual, the permanent and the transient. It invites us to contemplate how the forms and structures we build reflect our deepest values and beliefs.