(3) [Persepolis (?)] 1840 - 1869

This albumen silver print of Persepolis was created by Luigi Pesce sometime in the late 19th century. During this period, photography played a crucial role in shaping European perceptions of the Middle East, often exoticizing or romanticizing its ancient cultures. Pesce’s photograph captures a relief carving from Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, located in present-day Iran. These carvings would have served as powerful visual statements, reinforcing the authority and cultural identity of the Persian rulers. The photograph itself, as a reproduction of an image, raises questions about authenticity and representation, about whose perspective is being presented. While Pesce’s photograph offers a glimpse into this rich history, it also reflects the power dynamics inherent in the act of documenting and interpreting another culture. It invites us to consider the complex interplay between art, history, and the politics of representation.