[South Gate of the Arq, Teheran, Iran] 1840 - 1869

This photograph of the South Gate of the Arg in Tehran, Iran, was taken by Luigi Pesce sometime in the 19th century. It is a wonderful example of early photography, which at the time, was as much about chemistry and material science as it was about aesthetics. Consider the way the image is made, how the light-sensitive chemicals interact with the paper support, and the environment in which it was taken. The sepia tones weren't just an artistic choice, but a direct result of the materials and processes available then. Pesce wasn't just pointing and shooting, he was carefully managing a complex chemical reaction, framing a perspective on the urban landscape. The photograph gives us a window onto a specific time and place. It is the result of skilled work in the darkroom, but also a record of the labor involved in constructing the city itself. It serves as a reminder that the most profound insights often come from understanding the materials, techniques, and contexts that shape the images we see.