Cochna before 1878

Thomas Annan’s monochrome print “Cochna” captures a landscape framed by tree branches. The composition's strength lies in its stark contrasts and geometric forms. The image is almost split by the branches into a natural foreground and a structured background. The trees reach across, creating a visual tension as the organic shapes of the bare branches meet the rigid lines of the building. This interplay destabilizes the traditional landscape view. The building's facade, punctuated by repeating windows, presents a study in pattern and perspective. The limited tonal range further enhances the structural forms, distilling the scene to its essential elements. Annan uses the interplay of light and shadow to draw our eye through the depth of the image. This piece serves as a meditation on the relationship between nature and architecture.