Gezicht op het Castello della Zisa te Palermo 1862 - 1876

Editor: This stereoscopic photograph, “Gezicht op het Castello della Zisa te Palermo” by Jean Andrieu, was taken sometime between 1862 and 1876. It’s… well, a bit spooky, honestly! What’s your read on it? Curator: Spooky? I love that! To me, it's all about a captured stillness, wouldn’t you agree? Andrieu’s photograph makes the air itself feel thick, pregnant with untold stories. Do you see the cross? Almost like a sentinel. Editor: Definitely see the cross, almost looming, casting its own kind of shadow in the scene. What was Andrieu trying to say? Curator: Trying? Perhaps not “trying,” more like "feeling.” You sense Andrieu responding to the inherent drama of the place, the layers of history palpable in the architecture and even the ancient tree… almost daring us to imagine what it has witnessed! But maybe that’s me being overly romantic, do you get that sense too? Editor: I do. It’s a very staged kind of image. Maybe less spontaneous and more of a carefully constructed… story? Curator: Exactly. And don't miss how photography at this time could become about control of perspective, almost an effort to frame time itself, wouldn't you agree? The detail captured through this photograph – almost makes us reach to enter the scene… What do you think? Does the image allow for this kind of entry for you? Editor: Oh, for sure! Seeing it in stereo really sucks you in. You feel you could walk right into Palermo of the 1870s. It's much less…flat…than I would expect. Thanks for making me rethink how I saw this image. Curator: My pleasure! Maybe the spooks aren't about hauntings, but rather an echo, just waiting for someone to listen? Food for thought, indeed!