(9) Untitled 1840 - 1869

Luigi Pesce took this photograph of Persepolis sometime in the mid-19th century. The image captures a series of standing columns that once formed part of a grand palace complex in ancient Persia. The ruins speak to the rise and fall of empires, and in Pesce's time, European powers were keenly interested in documenting and studying such sites as part of their own imperial projects. Photography played a crucial role, offering a seemingly objective means of capturing and cataloging the world. But we should remember that these images were also shaped by the perspectives and interests of those who commissioned and created them. Understanding the photograph in its historical context requires that we consult a range of sources, from travel accounts and archaeological reports to the artist's personal correspondence. By doing so, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the complex social and institutional forces that shaped both the creation and reception of this image.