Tree Roots, Saint-cloud 1920

Eugene Atget made this photograph called "Tree Roots, Saint-Cloud" sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century, and it feels like he was thinking about drawing while he made it. It’s all about the light, which sculpts these tree roots into wild, reaching shapes. Look how the roots are snaking across the earth, almost like veins. The sepia tone gives everything a warm, earthy feel, emphasizing the texture of the bark and the fallen leaves. Each root is a line, and each line speaks to another. It’s like the world is a big conversation. Think about how painters like Gustave Courbet were getting down and dirty with nature around the same time. This photograph isn't just a picture; it's a process, a meditation on how things grow, connect, and decay. It’s a reminder that art is everywhere, if you know how to look.