Piramides van Cheops en Chefren, de sfinx en de tempel van Chefren bij Gizeh c. 1870 - 1898

This photograph by Maison Bonfils captures the Pyramids of Cheops and Chefren, the Sphinx, and the temple of Chefren at Gizeh. Notice the composition, where the symmetrical form of the pyramids in the background contrasts with the complex, fragmented temple ruins in the foreground. The monochromatic palette emphasizes the texture and materiality of the stone, drawing our attention to the geometric precision of the pyramids versus the eroded surfaces of the temple. The photograph frames a cultural paradox. The imposing, timeless geometry of the pyramids – symbols of Egyptian permanence – is juxtaposed with the decaying temple, a sign of temporal decay and historical change. Bonfils uses the camera to explore how ancient power structures persist, are remembered, and are eventually destabilized by time. Consider how the photograph not only documents but also interprets these ancient structures. By emphasizing form and texture, Bonfils invites us to reflect on the nature of time, memory, and the cultural meanings embedded in the landscape.