Restanten van de Zeustempel in Olympia before 1910

Frédéric Boissonnas made this photograph of the remnants of the Temple of Zeus in Olympia at a time when photography was still a relatively new medium. I imagine Boissonnas setting up his camera amidst these ancient ruins, carefully composing the shot to capture the weight and history of the site. The stones, worn smooth by time, speak of centuries of rituals, prayers, and human presence. There is an intriguing contrast between the solid, enduring stones and the ethereal quality of the light that Boissonnas captured. It reminds me of other artists who have sought to capture the essence of time and place, like Caspar David Friedrich with his landscapes. But here, instead of mountains or forests, Boissonnas is focused on the traces of human endeavor. His work reminds us that every mark we make, whether in stone or on canvas, is part of an ongoing dialogue across time.