Second Palace at Mitla, Mexico. 1860

Désiré Charnay's 1860 photograph, "Second Palace at Mitla, Mexico," captures the grandeur of the ancient Zapotec city, Mitla, Oaxaca. The image features a large stone platform with architectural remnants, as well as several standing pillars, all partially covered in rubble. The stark, sepia tones of the photograph add to the sense of timelessness and decay of the ruined palace, emphasizing the ruins' role in the history of Mesoamerican architecture. This photograph is part of a larger collection documenting the photographer's explorations and documenting the ruins of Mitla.