Gezicht op de kade van Split before 1878

Curator: This is "Gezicht op de kade van Split" or "View of the Quay of Split," a photographic print from before 1878 by Franz Thiard de Laforest. Editor: My initial reaction is of quiet contemplation. The sepia tones lend it a historical gravity, yet there's an inherent stillness—an almost serene desolation. Curator: The composition certainly contributes. Note the linear perspective, how the quay recedes into the distance, drawing the eye. De Laforest expertly uses the built environment to create depth. Editor: Indeed. However, I see more than skillful perspective. This image speaks to a moment of imperial observation, a colonial gaze capturing the "exotic" other. We should consider who this image was for and what assumptions were being made about Split and its inhabitants. The image and accompanying text about 'antiquity' frames Split, now modern Croatia, as a relic of the past awaiting discovery by the European observer. Curator: While the photograph undeniably captures a place and time, I am wary of reading too much contemporary theory into its creation. Consider the tonal range, how the artist utilizes light and shadow to articulate the textures of the stone, the wood, and the water. Editor: I don't think we can separate the aesthetic from its historical implications. Photography in the late 19th century was itself a tool of documentation and control. And this, alongside the reference to antiquity, presents a clear power dynamic in representing the Eastern European landscape. Curator: Perhaps. But appreciating the technical skill—the composition, the rendering of detail—doesn’t negate those considerations. Editor: Agreed, engaging with the complexities and power relations enriches our viewing experience. It compels us to acknowledge our positionality in how we are receiving the information. Curator: Precisely, this analysis enhances our insight into the artist’s intention. The work showcases skill but, as we discussed, holds implicit context about the capture. Editor: Precisely. The image, even in its stillness, serves as an important document and conversation point to view Split through multiple angles.