Gezicht op het Fort van David before 1878

Félix Bonfils created this small photograph, "Gezicht op het Fort van David," sometime in the 19th century. Captured in sepia tones, the composition is divided into two frames. The photograph on the left shows the geometric architecture of Fort David, and the photograph on the right is of the city's reflection in water. The severe angles of the fort juxtaposed with the soft, muted tones creates a sense of austere beauty, evoking a contemplative mood. Bonfils uses the photographic medium to document the physical reality of this place, yet, through its composition, light, and framing, the image also subtly transforms the fort into an object of contemplation, inviting viewers to ponder the relationship between architecture, landscape, and representation. The sepia tone, moreover, gives the image a feeling of timelessness. The very act of framing the image creates a semiotic boundary, inviting us to consider the photograph not just as a record but as a constructed representation of history, culture, and perception.