Flinders Petrie op opgravingen bij Tell Fara 1929

This photograph, taken by Richard St. Barbe Baker, shows Flinders Petrie at the excavation site of Tell Fara. It’s a black and white photograph, likely printed on fiber paper, giving it a beautiful warm tone and depth. What strikes me is the texture. The mud brick walls are so tactile; I can almost feel the grit and the way they crumble slightly at the edges. Look at the way the light hits those walls, creating shadows that give them volume and weight, a sense of history. It's interesting how Baker uses the medium to create a feeling of age and timelessness. There’s a softness, a lack of sharp detail, which almost makes the photograph feel like an artifact itself. It reminds me a little of the works by Eugène Atget in its intimate portrayal of place. Like all good art, this photograph leaves room for ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own stories to the site.