[View of Koum] 1840 - 1869

Luigi Pesce's "View of Koum," an early photograph from 1840-1869, captures a scene from Koum, Iran, with a majestic mosque adorned with a golden dome in the background. The photograph shows the bustling activity of the city with tents and people in the foreground, suggesting daily life amidst a significant religious site. Pesce, an Italian photographer, traveled extensively capturing landscapes and cityscapes, and his work provides insight into the architectural and social settings of 19th-century Iran. "View of Koum" is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.