Gezicht op de stad Soh, Iran c. 1880 - 1910

Editor: This gelatin-silver print, titled "Gezicht op de stad Soh, Iran" by Antoine Sevruguin, dating from around 1880 to 1910, presents a somewhat dreamlike, almost mirage-like image. The muted tones and distant perspective create a sense of timelessness. What do you make of it? Curator: It transports me. This photograph feels like a whispered secret from a lost world. Look at how the light dances across the ancient structures, rendering them both solid and ephemeral. Sevruguin wasn't merely documenting; he was weaving a narrative, hinting at stories etched into the very stones of Soh. Editor: A narrative, yes, I see that. What kind of stories do you think he's hinting at? Is it about the architecture, or is there something deeper? Curator: Perhaps it's a tale of resilience. The harsh landscape juxtaposed with the enduring architecture speaks to human perseverance. The shadows hold untold stories, don't you think? Consider the Western fascination with the ‘Orient’ at that time – was Sevruguin playing into that, or offering a more genuine perspective? Or a little of both? Editor: That's a compelling question. It does make me wonder about the photographer’s own perspective as an Armenian artist working in Persia at this time. Curator: Precisely! He’s standing at the crossroads of cultures. It all comes together, doesn’t it, to give the photograph its profound stillness. I imagine he selected this precise moment and position. Editor: Absolutely. I'm walking away seeing how the photographer shapes the narrative so delicately. Curator: Yes, each viewing unveils another layer. A beautiful puzzle with no wrong answers.