Palais im Großen Garten in Dresden 1889 - 1930

This photograph of Palais im Großen Garten in Dresden is an exercise in balance, even though we don't know who made it. The formal architecture of the palace is reflected in the still water, creating a complete composition with perfect symmetry. It's a study in contrasts: hard and soft, man-made and natural. The palace is all straight lines and sharp angles, while the water is fluid and ever-changing. The sky is a blank canvas, allowing the palace and its reflection to take center stage. Look how the edges of the water seem to feather out into the palace, like it's trying to blend in. The composition reminds me of Bernd and Hilla Becher's typologies of industrial structures, but here, it's a celebration of beauty rather than functionality. It makes you wonder, what is the function of beauty? What does it do for us?