Second Palace at Mitla, Mexico. 1860

Désiré Charnay captured this albumen silver print of the Second Palace at Mitla in Mexico. Notice the monolithic columns standing amidst the ruins. They speak to a deeply rooted human impulse to mark territory and honor the heavens, echoing similar structures from ancient Egypt to Greece. These vertical stones are not mere architectural supports; they are symbols. Consider how the form and purpose of the column are translated across cultures. While the function of support remains, its symbolic charge evolves, informed by local belief systems. The columns act as cultural transmission devices, carrying forward expressions of power and divine connection. The melancholic scene of the ruins evokes an intense emotional state, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This image is a powerful reminder of how human creations, laden with meaning, persist through time.