Jongen in een park met op de achtergrond de toren van het stadhuis van Durban c. 1880 - 1910

This gelatin silver print photograph titled "Jongen in een park met op de achtergrond de toren van het stadhuis van Durban" was captured by JEM. The composition divides the image into three distinct horizontal bands. Dense foliage dominates the foreground, creating a tactile sense of depth through varying textures. A solitary boy stands on the path which leads the eye to the Durban city hall tower which punctuates the horizon. The photograph’s subdued tones invite a reading of the image's formal elements. The use of light and shadow sculpts the forms, giving weight to the natural and architectural features. The rigid lines of the tower contrast with the organic forms of the trees, setting up a dialogue between nature and civilization. Ultimately, the photograph’s power resides in its structural balance. The interplay of light, shadow, form, and line offers a complex visual experience that speaks to the relationship between space, identity, and representation.