Versailles, Vase par Ballin 1903

This photograph, Versailles, Vase par Ballin, was captured by Eugène Atget, using a process that feels almost like alchemy. Atget’s eye sees beyond the vase itself. I mean, check out the way the light falls, almost like a painter finding the perfect tonal arrangement. The texture—the cool, smooth metal against the messy abundance of the flowers—creates a world within the frame. The detail of the vase’s decoration with it’s classical figures is in stark contrast to the organic forms bursting from it. It’s like a mini-drama playing out right before our eyes. There is a timeless quality to Atget's work. His dedication to capturing the essence of a place reminds me of the German photographer, August Sander, who captured the people of his time. Both approached their subjects with a respectful and curious eye, leaving us with images that continue to spark dialogue and reflection.