Pilaar van Pompeius in Alexandrië before 1905

This black and white print shows us the Pompey Pillar in Alexandria, and was made by the Khardiache Frères. Just imagine being in their shoes, framing this towering column against the backdrop of the city. The surface of the image is smooth and matte. I can see the granular texture of the paper and the column reaching up, a symbol of strength and endurance. The artists positioned themselves to capture the pillar’s height, making it seem like it almost pierces the sky, while in the background the city is spread out like a distant memory. What were they thinking when they clicked the shutter? Were they trying to capture a moment of timelessness? Just like painters, photographers make choices about composition, light, and focus, and these choices shape how we see and experience the world. By pointing their cameras at this monument, the Khardiache Frères invite us to reflect on the passage of time, the weight of history, and the stories that these places hold. Artists are always in conversation with each other, inspiring new ways of seeing, feeling, and expressing.