Gezicht op Kunkurwali Kothe in Lucknow before 1874

Curator: Let’s turn our attention to this fascinating photograph titled “Gezicht op Kunkurwali Kothe in Lucknow,” which roughly translates to "View of Kunkurwali Kothe in Lucknow." This albumen print, dating back to before 1874, is credited to Darogha Ubbas Alli. What's your initial take? Editor: It feels like a faded dream, almost ghostly. The sepia tones give it a sense of looking into the past. The building itself seems quite ornate, though weathered, maybe even a bit melancholy. There's something about the light, too, soft but resolute. Curator: That melancholy feeling is something that really resonates. The image encapsulates a specific time of profound transition and cultural exchange. The photographer, Darogha Ubbas Alli, was not just documenting architecture; he was capturing the legacy and layered symbols of a changing society. Editor: Layered is the right word! It’s as if the very tones hint at all that history…I can almost imagine it as a film set—waiting for the actors to fill those windows. And that style - Orientalism- how does it change its weight in this work? Curator: Ah, the weight of Orientalism! It adds complexity, as we are seeing Lucknow, with its Islamic influences, through a specific, often romanticized, lens. But within that lens, we also see Alli's perspective, which is not entirely of that imposed vision. Instead he leaves space for a kind of cultural continuity. Editor: So, it's like a double exposure then, between the expected fantasy and maybe a quiet realism. Almost defiant. The image is both imposing and vulnerable. I keep returning to that play of light, a persistent element amid cultural assumptions. Curator: Precisely, it's a negotiation of seeing and being seen, framed within historical forces and personal narratives. These early photographic records, become critical archives. Editor: I’ll look at historical photos differently, appreciating how time filters these places, cultures, through various perspectives – expected, defied or deeply felt. Curator: It’s a visual artifact, speaking volumes. Thank you for highlighting those layered complexities. Editor: Thanks to you, I now see it less as a picture, but rather, a story trying to be unearthed.