Gezicht op Monte Cristallo bij Cortina d'Ampezzo in de Dolomieten 1916

This sepia toned photograph shows Monte Cristallo by Cortina d’Ampezzo, in the Dolomites and was made by Henri de Rothschild sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. The thing about black and white photography is that it makes you focus on the forms. Look at the sharp, stark lines of the architecture contrasting with the irregular, organic shapes of the distant mountains. It’s a study in contrasts. The composition creates a layered effect with the buildings and bare trees in the foreground, leading the eye towards the grand, snow-capped peaks in the background. The limited palette allows the textures to really stand out; from the rough bark of the trees to the smooth, flat surfaces of the buildings, and then, that powdery snow. This feels like it could have been taken by Eugene Atget, with its attention to the details of the built environment. It's a reminder that art is always in conversation, with artists responding to and building upon the ideas of those who came before them, and those who are working alongside them.