Central City, Colorado c. 1881

This photograph of Central City, Colorado, was captured by William Henry Jackson in the late 19th century. Notice how the town nestles into the landscape, a dense cluster of buildings against the raw, mountainous terrain. The image's emotional power lies in this contrast: civilisation against the sublime. It is reminiscent of the Renaissance concept of "concinnitas", the harmonious arrangement of elements that create an aesthetically pleasing whole. Here, it is the order imposed by human settlement set against the chaos of nature. Consider, too, the names emblazoned on the buildings: 'Temple of Fashion'. Such declarations of commerce echo ancient dedications to gods and goddesses. This is no mere practical signage; it's a symbolic invocation, a projection of human ambition onto the landscape. This impulse to name and claim is an echo of primal urges, a visual assertion of dominance and progress. It’s a recurring motif throughout history – a constant, cyclical human endeavor.