Versailles, Coin de Parc 1902

Here's Eugène Atget's photograph of a corner in the park of Versailles. I can imagine Atget setting up his large format camera in the park of Versailles, adjusting the focus and exposure to capture the subtle details of the statues, trees, and gravel path. It's quiet, still. The photograph is rooted in stillness, a testament to the passage of time. The way the trees line the path and the statues support the fountain make me think about repetition, labor, and the beauty of manufactured landscapes. What do you think Atget was considering in making the picture? It makes me think of other artists who have examined the landscape and our relationship to nature, like the Hudson River School painters or even contemporary photographers exploring themes of environmentalism and human impact on the land. We're all inspired and build upon each other's work. This allows for endless reinterpretation and renewed appreciation.