[Nadir Shah's Golden Gate and Minaret. Otherwise known as the Golden Iwan of Ali Shir Nawai, late 15th Century with Restorations. MESHED] 1840 - 1869

Luigi Pesce captured Nadir Shah's Golden Gate and Minaret in this albumen silver print in the 19th century. Pesce, an Italian photographer, was commissioned to document Persia's architecture during a period of increasing European interest in the region. The photograph presents more than just an architectural study; it offers a glimpse into the intertwined histories of cultural preservation, colonial dynamics, and personal identity. The iwan, originally constructed in the late 15th century, underwent restorations that reflect changing political and cultural influences. It becomes a site where Persian heritage meets the gaze and intervention of outsiders. Consider how the act of photographing itself frames the East. Whose stories are told, and whose are left out? This image prompts us to reflect on the complex relationship between observer and observed. It serves as a reminder of how cultural heritage is often mediated through the lenses of power and perception.