Het oude keizerlijke paleis in Seoul 1952

David Ketel made this intimate landscape of the old Imperial Palace in Seoul using a photographic process. What a beautiful scene, looking through the green leafy foreground to the geometric planes of the architecture beyond. I can imagine Ketel thinking about framing, light, and depth while he worked on this piece, trying to flatten the space while also capturing all the textural details of the scene. The strong dark silhouette of the trees at the top edge contrasts with the building just behind, peeking through the green and creating a subtle shift in perspective. I love how the artist played with light and dark, using a rich palette of muted greens and blues to create a contemplative and evocative atmosphere. It reminds me of the work of other photographers who find the extraordinary in the ordinary, like Eugène Atget or even contemporary artists like Wolfgang Tillmans, who share a similar interest in capturing fleeting moments and everyday scenes with honesty and directness. Works like these remind us that art is an ongoing conversation across time.