Kolossen van Memnon nabij Luxor before 1866

This is Francis Bedford’s photograph, “Kolossen van Memnon nabij Luxor”, part of a book of prints. Bedford, working in the mid-19th century, was one of many European photographers who traveled to the Middle East. Bedford’s photograph of the two colossal statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, reflects a colonial gaze. The statues, which once guarded Amenhotep’s memorial temple, are presented here as relics of a distant past. The accompanying text in the book reflects this perspective, positioning the monuments within a biblical narrative, linking them to stories of Moses and the Pharaoh. This act of framing seeks to contextualize the artwork and history within a Western cultural and religious framework. As viewers, we're invited to consider how photography, during this period, served to document and interpret foreign lands through a lens of colonial interests, shaping perceptions and reinforcing cultural hierarchies.