Gezicht op de de Minervatempel in Tébessa before 1894

This monochromatic print, "Gezicht op de de Minervatempel in Tébessa," presents the Temple of Minerva, observed from an oblique angle which might evoke feelings of antiquity and impermanence. The artist directs our eye via the strong horizontal lines of the temple’s remaining structure, cutting across the vertical columns that once symbolized stability and order. The play of light and shadow emphasizes the texture of the stone. This technique draws attention to its materiality, marking the passage of time and the degradation of classical ideals. The choice to depict the temple in such stark tones, devoid of vibrant color, strips away any romanticism, and instead presents a ruin as a testament to history's indifference. The photograph becomes not just a record but a meditation on the interplay between form and decay. It invites us to consider how structures of power and belief are ultimately temporal, fading into the landscape.