Avenue of the Pyramids c. 1880

Editor: This photograph, "Avenue of the Pyramids" by Félix Bonfils, presents a road leading towards the pyramids, with a horse-drawn carriage in view. The materiality of the print gives it a warm, sepia tone. What catches your eye in terms of its historical context? Curator: I see a carefully constructed image, revealing the material realities of 19th-century tourism and its impact on the landscape. Consider the labor involved in creating this image, the production of the photographic materials, and the market for such exotic views. How did this consumption shape perceptions of Egypt? Editor: That's a fascinating way to consider it! It reframes how I see the pyramids themselves, not just as monuments but as commodities. Curator: Precisely. And by examining the materiality of the photograph, we gain insight into the social and economic forces at play during its creation and distribution.