Sokkel bij de San Marco in Venetië before 1884

This is a black and white photograph by Carl Heinrich Jacobi, titled "Sokkel bij de San Marco in Venetië." The image is dominated by architectural forms, specifically the base, or socle, of a column near San Marco in Venice. The photograph's composition is strikingly simple. Jacobi directs our attention through the stark contrast between light and shadow, which models the cylindrical form of the stone. The photograph invites contemplation on how historical structures embody cultural memory. Here, the column base, captured in a seemingly objective manner, subtly destabilizes any fixed notions of time and permanence. Consider how Jacobi uses photography – itself a relatively new medium at the time – to engage with classical forms. It prompts us to think about the relationship between representation and reality, between the fleeting nature of the photographic image and the enduring presence of classical architecture.