[Gran Teatro de Iturbide] 1867

This photograph by François Aubert captures the Gran Teatro de Iturbide in a study of architectural form and light. The composition is structured around a tripartite division, emphasizing the facade's symmetry. The three arched doorways on the ground level are echoed by the rhythm of the windows and columns above, creating a visual harmony. Aubert's choice of photography highlights the play of light and shadow on the building's surface. The muted tones and sharp details accentuate the texture of the stone, drawing attention to the materiality of the building itself. This focus on surface and form aligns with a structuralist approach, where the arrangement of elements creates meaning. The photograph invites us to consider how buildings communicate ideas about culture, identity, and representation. The geometry suggests a desire for order. Yet, as a cultural artifact, its meaning is never fixed, but evolves with each new interpretation.