Panorama van de stad Decín (Duits: Tetschen-Bodenbach) aan de Elbe, Tsjechië c. 1890 - 1925

Stengel and Markert made this black and white photograph of Decín, now in the Czech Republic, with a camera and photographic paper. It’s a bird’s eye view, really, that makes the town feel both expansive and intimate. I love the way the photograph captures the reflections on the Elbe River. See how the light bounces off the water, creating these shimmering patterns? It almost looks like the river is a living, breathing thing, constantly shifting and changing. The detail in the buildings on the right bank is remarkable. Each roof and window is clearly defined, giving the town a sense of solidity and permanence. The curve of the river leads your eye deeper into the composition, inviting you to explore the landscape beyond the town. And the bridge… well, that’s just a beautiful piece of engineering. The whole image makes me think about how we build our world, both physically and conceptually. It reminds me a little of some of the epic landscapes of Gustave Eiffel. There’s a similar sense of ambition and vision, but also a recognition of the power and beauty of the natural world.