(2) [Persepolis] 1840 - 1869

Luigi Pesce captured this albumen silver print of Persepolis sometime in the 19th century. The process involves coating paper with a layer of egg white – or albumen – and then silver nitrate, making it light-sensitive. The negative is then placed on the paper and exposed to light, resulting in a sepia-toned image with a soft, dreamy quality. The choice of the albumen silver print was significant, as it was a popular medium for both artistic and documentary purposes during this period. Its relative affordability and ease of production made it accessible to a wider range of photographers, but the process was also labor intensive, requiring careful attention to detail and technical skill in each stage. The final print, a tangible object, bears the mark of the photographer's hand, as well as the chemical and physical processes used to create it. Consider the social context: the rise of photography coincided with a growing interest in documenting and studying ancient cultures and archaeological sites. Photography became a tool for scientific exploration, historical preservation, and cultural exchange. The albumen silver print offered a means of capturing and disseminating images of distant lands and ancient wonders. It allowed viewers to experience these places and artifacts firsthand, contributing to a broader understanding of human history and civilization.