Versailles, Vase 1905

This photograph of a vase in Versailles was captured by Eugène Atget, and I’m curious about how it plays with light and form. The image is almost monochromatic, relying on subtle tonal shifts to define the vase and its surroundings. Look at how the light delicately models the faces and foliage carved into the vase. There's a real tactile quality to the image that makes you want to reach out and trace the contours of the stone. I notice that Atget doesn't shy away from the effects of age and wear on the vase. The surface isn't smooth, but rather has a pitted, almost decaying texture, adding depth and character to the shot. Atget reminds me of Bernd and Hilla Becher, who also documented architectural and industrial structures with a similar objective eye. Yet, Atget infuses his work with a certain moodiness. There’s a sense of reverence for the subject matter.