Haute-Égypte. Girgeh. Mosquèe d'Aly-Bey 1850

This photograph of the Mosque of Aly-Bey in Upper Egypt was taken by Maxime Du Camp, a French writer and photographer. He was commissioned in 1849 to document historical monuments in the Middle East. Du Camp, alongside Gustave Flaubert, undertook this journey during a period of intense colonial interest in the region. The photograph offers a glimpse into the visual culture of 19th-century Egypt and the power dynamics inherent in the act of documentation by a European traveler. Think about how Du Camp's perspective, as a privileged European man, would have shaped his portrayal of Egypt. Whose stories are prioritized and whose are left out? As you reflect on this image, consider the complex relationship between the photographer, the subject, and the viewer. A relationship imbued with layers of history, power, and cultural exchange.