Place de Lesseps, Port Said, Egypte c. 1860 - 1890

This photograph, titled 'Place de Lesseps, Port Said, Egypte' by Hippolyte Arnoux, presents a bird's-eye view dominated by sepia tones and dense vegetation. It evokes a feeling of historical distance, and the layering of organic and architectural forms creates a complex visual texture. The composition is structured around a central roundabout surrounded by trees, from which the buildings extend into the background, fading towards the horizon. The relationship between the geometric forms of the built environment and the unruly patterns of nature is striking. The photograph seems to suggest a tension between imposed order and natural chaos. The use of photography as a medium is itself a fascinating aspect of this piece. As a relatively new technology at the time, its mechanical objectivity could imply scientific documentation. But the artistic arrangement and atmospheric tones hint at a narrative or interpretation of this place, and demonstrate how photography is not merely a neutral recording device, but a medium capable of conveying ideas and challenging fixed meanings.