Grand Minaret, Alexandria (73. Alexandrie. 1842. Grand Minaret.?) 1842

Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey created this Daguerrotype, titled Grand Minaret, Alexandria in 1842. The photograph’s vertical composition emphasizes the minaret's height and slender form, drawing our eyes upward along its textured surface. The interplay of light and shadow articulates the minaret's structure, contrasting the cylindrical tower with the geometric precision of its balconies and ornamentation. The monochromatic palette, punctuated by subtle tonal variations, enriches the architectural details, revealing the rough texture of the stonework against the pale sky. Girault de Prangey captured not just an architectural form, but also a cultural symbol. The minaret, as a sign, represents a point of intersection between the earthly and the divine. The angle and framing suggest a destabilization of established perspectives of architectural photography. The photograph challenges us to reconsider the relationship between representation and reality, structure and symbol, inviting a dialogue that transcends its historical context.