Standbeeld van Leonardo da Vinci te Milaan, Italië 1872 - 1914

This is a photograph by Giorgio Sommer, showing the statue of Leonardo da Vinci in Milan, Italy. The statue commands attention because of its placement. It's set against the backdrop of a grand arcade. The entire composition is structured around the play of light and shadow. Notice how Sommer uses tonality to create depth? The statue, bathed in light, stands in contrast to the darker recesses of the arcade behind it. It’s a semiotic game where light signifies revelation and knowledge, aligning with Da Vinci’s image as an enlightened genius. The formal structure of the photograph—the careful arrangement of statue, architecture, and light—creates a deliberate statement. The linear geometry of the buildings contrasts with the rounded forms of the statue, creating a visual dialogue. This dialogue invites us to consider the relationship between artistic genius and the structured world it inhabits. Photography, through Sommer’s lens, becomes a study in contrasts and complements. It shows how meaning is constructed through the careful arrangement of forms.