Paleis van de sultana van Constantinopel, Fatehpur Sikri 1863 - 1865

Samuel Bourne captured this photograph of the Palace of the Sultana in Fatehpur Sikri. Its sepia tones and sharp focus highlight the intricate details of the architecture. The strong geometric structure, defined by horizontal roof lines and vertical columns, creates a balanced yet complex composition. The photograph is a study in contrasts, the play of light and shadow which emphasizes the carved patterns and textures of the sandstone. Bourne uses repetitive motifs—rows of carved corbels, patterned screens, and decorative friezes—to draw the eye across the surface, yet the image questions our perception of depth. The shadows and framing make it difficult to grasp a sense of interiority. The visual language speaks to a dialogue between order and ornamentation, between the solidity of the structure and the ephemerality of light. It reminds us that the perception of architectural space relies on the visual interplay of form and shadow.