Brug bij het Zomerpaleis te Peking before 1920

Donald Mennie made this photograph of a bridge at the Summer Palace in Peking at some point during his life. It's an image absolutely bathed in sepia tones, giving the whole scene a warm, nostalgic feel. There's a softness to the image, almost as if it's been filtered through memory. The bridge itself is a beautiful curve, its reflection shimmering in the water below, and the trees that frame it feel like delicate brushstrokes. The way the light plays across the water makes it feel like the whole scene is in motion, even though it's a still image. It reminds me a little bit of some of the Tonalist painters, like Whistler, who were all about mood and atmosphere. It's not about capturing every detail, but more about creating a feeling. It's a quiet, contemplative piece, inviting us to pause and reflect on the beauty of a fleeting moment.