Versailles, Vase par Cornu 1904

This photograph, Versailles, Vase par Cornu, was shot by Eugène Atget. Looking at this image, I think about this large stone pot overflowing with figures, an abundance of people, plants, and ornament. I feel like Atget is speaking to us, he knew something about the life and times of Versailles, the grand palace and gardens that used to teem with the aristocracy. Now, only a few stone relics remain, in their own way continuing to ‘perform’ for viewers like us. I imagine the light that day was soft, casting subtle shadows, which helped to bring out the depth and texture of the stone. It's kind of sad, beautiful, and surreal at the same time, capturing a moment of stillness and the passage of time. It makes you think about what remains and what fades away.