Gezicht op een tempel in Japan before 1892

This is a small photograph of a temple gateway in Japan, taken by Douglas Sladen. Its stark monochrome emphasizes the linear architecture against the softer, organic forms of the surrounding trees. Notice how Sladen uses the gateway's geometry to create a sense of depth. The parallel lines of the path and the converging lines of the structure draw the eye into the composition. This creates a cultural encounter, framing Eastern architecture for a Western audience. The photograph’s structure can be seen through the lens of structuralism. The temple's architectural elements – roof, pillars, path – operate as signs within a larger cultural code. These elements construct a meaning of the East, filtered through a Western gaze. It is an interplay between observation and representation.