Tombe van Seti I (KV17) in de Vallei der Koningen, Thebe (Luxor) c. 1870 - 1890

This photograph of the Tomb of Seti I in Thebes was taken by C. & G. Zangaki, sometime in the late 19th century. Its documentary style provides us with a window into the cultural fascination with Egypt that gripped Europe at the time. This image, like many taken by the Zangaki brothers, catered to European tourists eager to consume and possess visual records of their travels. What's particularly striking is how the photograph flattens and distorts the tomb's intricate carvings, transforming them into a commodity for distant consumption. The photograph, taken in Egypt, was destined for European drawing rooms, reinforcing a sense of colonial ownership and exoticism. To truly understand this photograph, we must delve into the archives, explore travelogues, and examine the network of trade that facilitated the movement of images and ideas between Egypt and Europe. Only then can we begin to unravel the complex interplay of power, representation, and cultural exchange embedded within this seemingly simple photograph.