Young men in antique costume in front of a ruin in Sicily c. 1895 - 1925

This albumen print, "Young men in antique costume in front of a ruin in Sicily" was made by Wilhelm von Gloeden, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. Von Gloeden had a real knack for creating these dreamlike photographs. The sepia tone gives everything this soft, hazy feel, almost like a memory. Looking closer, it's interesting how he captures light, especially in the rippling water and the stonework. There is a wonderful fountain encircled by lion statues in the foreground, then more elaborate stonework behind that. There's so much detail to get lost in. Von Gloeden was pushing boundaries, playing with ideas of beauty, sexuality, and the classical world. Think of him as being a bit like David Hockney, another artist who celebrated beauty and found ways to make the old seem new. Art isn't just about what you see, but what you feel, and it’s okay if you feel a little confused, intrigued, or even challenged by it.