[Acropolis, Athens, Greece] 1850 - 1855

Editor: Here we have James Robertson's daguerreotype, *Acropolis, Athens, Greece*, taken sometime between 1850 and 1855. It's striking how this sepia-toned image makes this famous site look so desolate. What do you see in it? Curator: Desolate is a powerful word. I see something else entirely... Think about it – the Acropolis wasn't just a pile of rocks, was it? For centuries, even as empires rose and crumbled, those stones whispered stories. What kind of people walked that land back then, do you think? Did they have any clue their marketplace chatter would one day fascinate everyone, even us, across continents and centuries? This isn't desolation; it’s… patient survival. What do you think about the temple ruin visible on the right? Editor: I do see that feeling. The ruins are undeniably majestic. It really places you in the scene. Why use photography for cityscapes? Curator: Ah, an interesting question! Consider this daguerreotype's creation in the 1850s. It represented a cutting-edge means to document ancient wonders with unmatched accuracy. Unlike paintings which involve an artist's interpretation, Robertson's work captures, to the extent technologically possible at the time, an objective snapshot. Do you find this photographic "objectivity" makes the ancient past feel more tangible? Editor: I think so, yes. It almost makes it too real. More serious, in a way. I feel like I am *actually* there. That’s amazing! I wonder what else is hiding within plain sight! Curator: Exactly! It prompts us to consider our place within its grand narrative, too. I came in expecting dust and stones, but this conversation brought forth silent screams and faded echoes… which I find profoundly moving. Thank you!