View of Cairo and the Citadel of Sultan Hassam c. 1880

Editor: This is Félix Bonfils' "View of Cairo and the Citadel of Sultan Hassam," a vintage photograph. The sepia tones give it such a sense of history. What can you tell us about its cultural context? Curator: Bonfils was part of a wave of photographers who documented the Middle East for Western audiences. These images shaped perceptions and sometimes reinforced colonial power dynamics. What do you notice about the composition? Editor: The Citadel dominates the skyline, almost as if the city exists in support of its presence. Curator: Precisely. Bonfils’ work, while beautiful, also played a role in constructing a particular narrative about Cairo for European consumption. Do you think that changes how we should view it? Editor: It definitely adds another layer of interpretation to the image. I'll keep that in mind. Curator: Indeed, it reminds us that art always exists within a web of social and political forces.