[Boat in Harbor, Algeria] 1853 - 1854

John Beasley Greene made this photograph, "Boat in Harbor, Algeria", using the collodion process, a popular method in the mid-19th century. Greene, an American, worked in Egypt and Algeria. The image invites us to consider the relationship between photography and colonialism. During this period, European powers were expanding their empires, and photography played a role in documenting and promoting these ventures. This harbor scene, with its quiet stillness, belies the political and social context of French colonial presence in Algeria. The presence of the boat might evoke a sense of connection, but also hints at trade and military movement. As you look at the photograph, reflect on how it may have shaped perceptions of Algeria for viewers in Europe and America. It prompts us to consider whose stories are being told and whose are being left out. Consider your own position as a viewer and how the photograph speaks to our understanding of history, power, and representation.