[Departure for the huntTomb of Khan of Khiva] 1840 - 1869

Luigi Pesce created this photograph, entitled "Departure for the huntTomb of Khan of Khiva," sometime in the mid-19th century. The photograph depicts a hunting party preparing to depart. Consider the identity and role of the photographer, an Italian, and how this influenced the image. This photograph offers a glimpse into the power dynamics of the time, where the Khan, representing local authority, is depicted through the lens of a Westerner. The act of photographing itself signifies a form of appropriation and documentation by an outsider, framing the Khan's world for a foreign audience. How does the photographer's cultural background influence the way the hunting party is perceived? The photograph raises questions about cultural representation, power, and the gaze. It invites us to consider the complexities of identity and history within a single frame.