Twee jongens vissen in een rivier in het bos van Créteil, Frankrijk before 1896

This black and white photograph by Paul Godeville presents two boys fishing in a river within the forest of Créteil, France. The image, composed with a careful balance of light and shadow, evokes a sense of quietude and contemplation. The composition hinges on a central mirroring effect, where the placid river reflects the dense forest and an old bridge overhead, creating a layered visual field. This mirroring isn't just a visual trick; it complicates our perception of space, asking whether what we see is real or a mere reflection. Godeville seems to play with semiotic codes of realism, questioning photography's supposed transparency. The figures of the boys, small and absorbed in their activity, further destabilize the landscape. Their presence introduces an element of scale, subtly highlighting the immensity and indifference of nature. The photograph thus transcends a simple scene; it becomes an exploration of perception.