Frankfurt am Main_ Bank of the Main at the old slaughterhouse and approach to the Old Bridge c. 1859

Carl Friedrich Mylius created this photograph of Frankfurt am Main, depicting the bank of the Main at the old slaughterhouse and approach to the Old Bridge. The composition of the image is striking due to the linear perspective achieved through the architectural subjects. The buildings lead the eye into the depths of the image, with the old bridge offering a focal point in the distance. Mylius captures the texture of the old buildings and the cobblestone street through a selective use of light and shadow. There’s a certain structural quality to how Mylius frames the urban landscape. The use of photography allowed for an accurate depiction of the location. However, it also served as a form of documentation, capturing the essence of a city undergoing transformation, which invites us to explore the themes of urban development and the passage of time.