Ruïnes van Timgad Possibly 1927

A.G.A. van Eelde made this photograph of the Ruins of Timgad, we don't know exactly when, but what interests me is the layering of time. It is amazing how a photograph can freeze a moment, and yet also suggest the movement of time, because this is a photograph *of* ruins. The tonal range is so soft, it's a study in greys, almost like a pencil drawing. The light seems to be evenly spread, creating a sense of timelessness. Look at the way the ruins are scattered across the landscape like fallen teeth. There's a real sense of weight to the stone, the material, and the weight of history. Up close, you can see the textures of the stone, worn smooth by time. I can almost feel the sun beating down on those ancient stones, and I think about all the people who once walked those streets. The photograph reminds me a little of some of the architectural studies by Piranesi, in his series "Roman Antiquities". Both artists want us to think about time, and how everything eventually crumbles.