Zuil met een afbeelding van Boeddha before 1895

This photograph, "Zuil met een afbeelding van Boeddha," was captured by Michel Berthaud. The monochrome image presents us with a composition dominated by the vertical thrust of the pillar, a stark contrast to the rough, horizontal lines of the rocky terrain. Berthaud's choice to position the pillar slightly off-center introduces a dynamic tension. The contrast between the smooth, geometric form of the pillar and the natural, almost chaotic texture of the rocks creates a visual dialogue. This stark juxtaposition could be interpreted through a structuralist lens as a play between culture and nature, order and chaos. The Buddha image, while not clearly visible, serves as a signifier, grounding the pillar in a specific cultural context. Ultimately, the photograph’s strength lies in its formal elements. The interplay of light and shadow, form and texture, invites us to consider how these visual components work together to construct meaning. The image becomes a site for ongoing interpretation, shaped by our own cultural and philosophical perspectives.