Bridge of St. Martin - Toledo 1914

This photogravure of the Bridge of St. Martin in Toledo was made by James Craig Annan, who lived from 1864 to 1946. Look at the way the light shifts across the surface; it's a testament to the meticulous process behind photogravure. I find myself drawn to the texture of the stone. It's rough and solid, isn't it? Those jagged edges, how do they make you feel? And that crumbling building in the background, swathed in scaffolding, it all feels so impermanent. It's as if Annan is capturing a moment of transition. The contrast between the solidity of the bridge and the decay of the city is really striking. It's not just a picture, but a record of change. There's something about this piece that reminds me of Piranesi, who was also obsessed with the weight of stone and the drama of architecture. It's a reminder that art is never created in a vacuum, it's always in conversation with what came before.