Detail van moskee (?) in Perzië Possibly 1925 - 1927

This photograph by A.G.A. van Eelde captures a detail of what is believed to be a mosque in Persia, and it is an invitation into pattern, light and texture. I imagine the photograph capturing the way the light catches on the intricate surfaces, the play of light creating a kind of dance. What was van Eelde thinking when they chose this slice of architecture? How to distill such complexity into a single frame? The image is a study of surfaces, isn't it? Each plane seems to whisper stories of artisans and calligraphers meticulously layering meaning and form. It reminds me of the way Agnes Martin worked, with a quiet dedication, each line a search for something beyond the visible. It makes me think about how we all, as artists, borrow from each other across time, building on the past, tweaking the present, always in dialogue with those who came before. It’s a lovely thought, this continuous conversation, isn’t it?