Exterieur van een woning te Ngali 1896

This small photograph titled, "Exterior of a House in Ngali" was produced by Franz Thonner. The sepia tones give the image a feel of antiquity. The photograph’s composition, divided into distinct zones, presents a study in contrasts. The thatched roof of the Ngali house dominates the mid-ground, creating a strong horizontal line that anchors the structure. The surrounding foliage, rendered in varying tones of grey, creates a textured backdrop. Thonner, working within the confines of the photographic medium, uses the play of light and shadow to delineate form. The way the light catches the rough textures of the thatched roof contrasts with the softer, more diffused light filtering through the trees. The photograph invites us to consider how the formal properties of photography can act as a sign system, documenting and interpreting the cultural and environmental realities.