Gezicht op Regensburg, Duitsland 1856 - 1887

This photogravure, made by an anonymous artist, captures a serene view of Regensburg, Germany. The composition is dominated by horizontal bands: the bridge in the foreground, the still water of the river, the line of buildings, and the sky above, with the vertical thrust of the cathedral punctuating the skyline. The subdued monochromatic palette evokes a sense of stillness and timelessness. The photograph functions as a sign, a visual encoding of the city. The formal structure presents Regensburg as a coherent, legible entity. The image invites us to decode not just the appearance of the city, but also perhaps its underlying social and historical structures. In doing so, the artist presents us with a world captured and framed, inviting contemplation on the nature of representation itself.