Ruïne van een brug over de Akhourian-rivier, Ani 1875 - 1880

This stereoscopic photograph shows the Ruïne van een brug over de Akhourian-rivier, Ani, and was taken by Onnes Kurkdjian. Kurkdjian was an Armenian photographer, and this image is part of a larger body of work documenting historical sites in Armenia. The photograph captures not just a physical place, but a complex history of cultural exchange and conflict. The ruins themself speak to the passage of time, and to the shifting fortunes of the city of Ani, once a vibrant medieval capital. This image, through Kurkdjian’s lens, becomes a poignant reflection on cultural heritage and the ways in which the past continues to shape the present. The choice of black and white photography enhances this sense of timelessness, stripping away the distractions of color to focus on form, texture, and light. It invites a deeper contemplation on the layers of history embedded within this landscape, and on the enduring legacy of Armenian culture.