Straatgezicht in Tunis op 14 juli (quatorze juillet) c. 1880 - 1900

This albumen print, by the photographer known only as AM, shows a street scene in Tunis on the 14th of July. The process of albumen printing, popular in the 19th century, involved coating paper with egg white and silver nitrate, creating a surface sensitive to light. This method allowed for detailed images, but required careful handling and expertise, aligning photography with skilled craft traditions. Notice how the albumen printing process gives a sepia tone and a soft, almost dreamlike quality. It captures the complex atmosphere of a colonial city. The making of photographs like this was deeply embedded in the social and political context of its time, and the artist's choice of subject matter makes the process historically significant. Ultimately, this photograph invites us to consider the role of photography not just as a recorder of events, but as a crafted object. It highlights the power dynamics of the colonial period, reminding us that the very act of image-making is intertwined with social issues of labour, politics, and consumption.