Restanten van het Casa di Cornelio Ruffo in Pompeï c. 1860 - 1900

Roberto Rive created this photograph of the Restanten van het Casa di Cornelio Ruffo in Pompeï. The photograph is a study in contrasts. In the foreground, ornamental stonework is sharply defined, while the architectural remnants behind fade softly into the distance. This juxtaposition sets up a visual structure that balances detail and scale. The linear progression of columns draws the eye along a receding plane, demonstrating a clear organization of space. Rive’s choice of monochrome simplifies the visual field, emphasizing form and structure. The photograph operates semiotically by presenting ruins not as mere remnants but as cultural signs. These remains become potent symbols of time, loss, and the cyclical nature of civilization. Through its composition, the photograph explores themes of preservation versus decay. The photograph invites us to reflect on the passage of time and the continuous re-evaluation of history.