Gezicht op Saint-Saphorin before 1903

This is a reproduction of Ernst Lichtenhahn's "Gezicht op Saint-Saphorin" from an old photography journal, and it’s fascinating to see how the image is rendered with such limited tonality. The subtle gradations achieved in this black and white photograph are something to behold. Notice the way the light falls on the building to the left, and the texture of the stone wall. This area is a masterclass in capturing depth and form, reminding me of a Morandi painting but with a lens. This area of the image contains so much information despite its obvious limitations, almost like a little world contained within this small picture. It’s interesting to think about how different artists and their styles overlap through time. Much like how we respond to them as viewers, in our own time. This photograph seems to offer a glimpse into another era.