Zes foto's van een reis naar Egypte, Syrië en Jeruzalem 1927

These six photographs of Egypt, Syria and Jerusalem were compiled into an album by Carolina (Loentje) Frederika Onnen sometime in the early to mid-20th century. This was a period in which photography became a popular medium, and albums like this one were used to document and share experiences, especially travels to exotic or historically significant places. Onnen's images, with handwritten captions in Dutch, offer glimpses into the landscapes, architecture, and daily life of these regions. Consider the historical context: the Middle East was undergoing significant political and social changes during this time, with European powers exerting considerable influence. How might Onnen's photographs reflect or perhaps obscure these power dynamics? What stories do they tell about cultural encounters and the act of witnessing a world in transition? To understand this album fully, we would need to delve into Onnen's personal history, her social background, and the travel culture of her time. Only then can we truly appreciate the complex layers of meaning embedded in these seemingly simple snapshots.