Vuurtoren en de ruïne van de abdij van Pointe Saint-Mathieu 1901

This old photograph shows a lighthouse and the ruins of the abbey of Pointe Saint-Mathieu. It was made by Delizy. Looking at this sepia image, I imagine the photographer patiently setting up their equipment amidst the weathered stones, trying to capture the essence of this coastal place. What was it like standing there, with the wind and the salty air, trying to preserve a moment in time? The ruins tell stories of centuries, but they also give us a new perspective. The lighthouse looms tall, a symbol of guidance and safety, contrasting with the crumbling abbey—a reminder of the past. The tones are so soft, so evocative of age, and the photographer seems to be in dialogue with history itself, recognizing the push and pull of time. It makes me think about ruins and how they always change. It’s a reminder that everything shifts and changes.