Vue de Saïgon (Feuille No. 2) 1866

This albumen silver print, "Vue de Saïgon (Feuille No. 2)," captured by Emile Gsell, presents a serene yet complex view of colonial Saigon. Dominating the scene is the water, acting as a mirror to the orderly architecture that lines its banks. Water, an ancient symbol of both purity and chaos, fertility and destruction, reflects the colonial endeavor—an attempt to impose order upon the perceived wildness of the landscape. The arrangement of buildings along the waterfront evokes a sense of imposed structure and control. The presence of boats suggests connection and trade. We see a motif mirrored in the architecture of ancient Rome, where the forum often stood beside the Tiber. The river as a means of logistical and economical power. The photograph invites contemplation on how cultural symbols, like water and architectural order, carry layers of meaning. They represent both a longing for stability and the constant undercurrent of change and adaptation. These symbols engage us on a deeper level, stirring subconscious associations with the interplay of nature and civilization. They leave us to ponder the cyclical nature of history, where such symbols resurface, evolve, and acquire new meanings across time.