Arcade met zittende figuren in de parfumsouk van Tunis c. 1880 - 1900

This photograph captures an arcade with seated figures in the perfume souk of Tunis, by the artist known only as AM. The image invites us into a space of commerce and daily life, yet it also subtly speaks to the complexities of identity and representation within a colonial context. During this period, photography often served as a tool for European powers to document and exoticize colonized lands. However, the figures in the photograph are not merely passive subjects; they inhabit and animate the space, suggesting a sense of agency and resilience. The perfume souk, a place of trade and sensory experience, becomes a stage where identities intersect and negotiate with the prevailing colonial gaze. What stories do their faces and postures tell? How does the act of sitting, of occupying space, become a statement in itself? This photograph captures a moment in time, but it also prompts us to consider the ongoing dialogue between power, representation, and the lived experiences of individuals within a specific historical context.