[The New Gate, Teheran] 1850s

Luigi Pesce made this photograph of ‘The New Gate, Teheran’ using a process called Albumen print, a popular technique in the 19th century that involved coating paper with egg white to create a glossy surface for the photographic emulsion. What's fascinating about this image is how it captures a moment in time and also hints at the social and cultural context of 19th-century Iran. The gate itself, with its intricate tilework and towering minarets, speaks to the skilled craftsmanship and artistic traditions of the region. The very act of capturing the image using albumen printing involved labor, from preparing the light-sensitive paper to the exposure and development process. The use of photography itself was still a relatively new technology at the time. It provided a way to document and share images of distant lands, influencing Western perceptions of Iran and other parts of the world. By understanding the materials, processes, and social context of this photograph, we can gain a deeper appreciation for its historical and cultural significance.