Versailles, Le Rhone par Tuby 1901

Eugène Atget captured this image of ‘Versailles, Le Rhône par Tuby’ using the albumen silver print method. Here we see a sculpture of a river god, a classical motif symbolizing power and abundance through the ages. This figure, with his muscular physique and flowing beard, embodies the vitality of the Rhone river itself. Consider his serene expression, mirrored in countless depictions of gods and heroes across time. The scepter he holds is reminiscent of Zeus’s thunderbolt or Poseidon's trident, underscoring his dominion. Similar figures, often associated with rivers or seas, appear across different cultures, from ancient Roman fountains to Renaissance paintings. These images evoke an awareness of our profound connection with the natural world. This enduring symbol, reborn time and again, taps into a deep well of collective memory, reminding us of humanity’s continuous dialogue with its environment.