Qasr al-Nil-brug over de Nijl in Caïro 1870 - 1910

This albumen print shows the Qasr al-Nil Bridge in Cairo and was made by C. & G. Zangaki. The image captures more than just a physical structure; it encapsulates a moment in the social and cultural landscape of Egypt. Bridges like this one were not just about connecting places. They were symbols of progress and modernization, often linked to colonial or neo-colonial projects. The bridge, adorned with lion sculptures, can be read as a statement of power and control, reflecting the influence of European aesthetics and engineering in Egypt at the time. The figures on horseback suggest a social hierarchy, hinting at the power dynamics at play. To fully understand an image like this, the art historian must look at travelogues, colonial archives, and accounts from the period. It is in the context of institutional and social histories that a photograph like this gains its richest meanings.