The Granite Pylon, Thebes 1857

Francis Frith took this photograph of the Granite Pylon in Thebes, using the collodion process, during one of his several expeditions to the Middle East between 1856 and 1860. Frith was one of the first to capture images of Egypt and its monuments, against the backdrop of increasing European colonial interests in the region. Notice the presence of the two men in the foreground who, due to the camera’s perspective, appear dwarfed by the ancient structure, emphasizing the perceived power and grandeur of the past. These figures embody the colonial gaze, turning the Egyptian landscape into a spectacle for Western consumption. Frith’s photographs were not merely documents; they were constructed narratives that influenced Western perceptions of the Middle East. Ultimately, this photograph serves as a powerful reminder of the complex interplay between photography, colonialism, and the construction of cultural identity. It invites us to reflect on the historical context in which images are created and consumed.