Minbar en kiblah in de sultan Hassan-moskee, Caïro 1888 - 1895

Jean Pascal Sébah captured this image of the minbar, or pulpit, in the Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century, using photographic processes that were cutting-edge for the time. What I find particularly interesting about this photograph is how it marries an interest in the geometry and precision of Islamic architecture with the emerging technology of photography. Notice the exacting composition, in which the minbar is positioned just so, its geometric patterns highlighted by the available light. Yet, it is not just a record; it is a crafted image. The very act of taking a photograph at this time was labor-intensive. From preparing the glass plates to meticulously developing the image, it was a process demanding both technical skill and artistic vision. Consider how this intersects with our understanding of labor and value. While we may not immediately think of photography as a craft, images like this remind us that all forms of making, whether traditionally considered "art" or not, are embedded with human effort and intention. It challenges us to reconsider what we value and how we value it.