Versailles, Vase (Detail) 1906

This photograph of a vase in Versailles was taken by Eugène Atget sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Atget's images are so often about surface and texture; he captures the peeling paint on buildings, the worn stone of sculptures, and the quiet, unassuming beauty of everyday objects. In this detail of a vase, the monochromatic palette emphasizes the sculptural relief, with its carved figures frozen in classical poses. The light catches the rounded forms, highlighting the way the figures emerge from the stone. What is so striking is the contrast between the pristine, idealized figures and the marks and graffiti etched into the surface. It's like seeing two different moments in time layered on top of each other. There's a real intimacy to the image, the way Atget gets in close, focusing on the details that might otherwise be overlooked. It reminds me a bit of the painter Giorgio Morandi, who found endless inspiration in the humble still life. Both artists share an interest in the poetry of the everyday. Ultimately, Atget's photographs invite us to slow down, to look closely, and to find beauty in the unexpected.