Villa in de omgeving van Nijmegen, mogelijk in Meerwijk c. 1885 - 1890

This photograph by Wilhelm Ivens captures a villa near Nijmegen with what appears to be an albumen print. The sepia tones and soft focus create a nostalgic atmosphere that draws us into a serene outdoor setting. The composition is structured by a balance between the organic and the geometric. Trees and foliage are set against the linear precision of the villa's architecture. The foreground, with its rustic fence, leads the eye towards the villa, which is nestled within the trees, using the rule of thirds to frame the main subject. The textures—from the rough bark of the trees to the smooth walls of the villa—add depth and visual interest. Ivens uses light and shadow to emphasize the play between nature and architecture. The structural clarity of the villa, combined with its integration into the landscape, presents a view of constructed space within nature's framework, inviting us to consider how we perceive and interact with our environment.