Asia minor Reprise

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Between 2012 and 2016, Ruprecht Schleyer traveled through Anatolia, capturing the remains of renowned archaeological sites in Asia Minor. He used 19th-century photographs as references, positioning his shots from the same perspectives as those taken two centuries earlier. From the aqueduct at Aspendos to the Sphinx Gate in Galatia and the Temple of Artemis in Lydia, Schleyer’s meticulous photographs document the current state of these historical wonders. Presented alongside the striking 19th-century images, his work allows for a comparison of the effects of time on these sites while reflecting the culture of Orientalism. In some locations, nature has overtaken the ruins, with grass covering masonry or trees overshadowing courtyards, while others, like the Roman theatre at Hierapolis, showcase careful restoration. Schleyer’s photographs enable viewers to trace the passage of time on the stones and landscapes. He shares his experiences photographing these sites and the history of those who came before him in the 19th century. The exotically dressed figures in earlier images serve not only as scale references but also as participants in the Orientalist narrative, as explored by Wolfgang Filser in his essay.