Interieur van de Sultan Ahmetmoskee in Istanboel 1888 - 1900

This albumen print by Sébah & Joaillier captures the interior of the Sultan Ahmet Mosque in Istanbul. Produced during a period of Western fascination with the "Orient," the photograph participates in a long history of representing Ottoman culture to European audiences. The image emphasizes the mosque's architectural grandeur and intricate ornamentation, reflecting a Western gaze that often exoticized and aestheticized Islamic spaces. Consider the role of photography in shaping perceptions of foreign cultures. This photograph, made for circulation among tourists and collectors, presented a particular view of Istanbul, one filtered through the lens of European expectations. The absence of people also directs the viewers' attention to the structure itself, to the detriment of how the space is actually used. To understand this image fully, we might consult travelogues, architectural histories, and studies of Ottoman-European relations. Understanding the institutions and markets through which images like this circulated helps us interpret its complex cultural and historical significance.