Untitled (house on hillside) c. 1950

This Untitled photograph of a house on a hillside was made by Robert Burian, and its greyscale tones feel both immediate and timeless. The image is made up of subtle gradations in tone. I’m struck by the way the composition is built on contrasts: the dark sky against the light trees and the solid, dark house standing out against the pale hillside. The house itself has a particular presence, doesn't it? The dark siding with its light windows gives it an almost animated, cartoon-like quality, which contrasts with the realism of the scene. Look at the way the hill slopes up to meet the house, that strange dark band that runs diagonally from bottom left to top right. It’s like a visual hinge that locks the whole scene together, making this photographic study more than just a simple snapshot. It’s this balance that gives the image such a strong sense of calm and stillness. It makes me think of Edward Hopper and his paintings of American homes and towns; both artists capture something about the loneliness and beauty of everyday life.