Gezicht op het Lago Maggiore en de Borromeïsche Eilanden vanuit Stresa 1861 - 1878

Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy created this photographic stereocard, offering a double view of Lago Maggiore and the Borromean Islands. Here, the islands rise from the water, symbols of serenity and isolation. The lake itself, a motif of purity and reflection, echoes ancient myths of sacred waters. These bodies of water, islands, and mountains are recurring symbols across cultures; they are places of refuge, contemplation, and transformation. Islands, in particular, evoke the subconscious mind, a space of introspection. Consider the Isle of the Dead by Böcklin. A symbol of death, and passage, with the island becoming a mirror reflecting our deepest anxieties and hopes. The enduring appeal of these scenes speaks to a collective yearning for peace, and a connection with nature. Lamy's photograph isn’t merely a depiction of a place, it is an invitation to embark on a personal journey. These motifs are always present, a non-linear progression.