Exterieur van de Sultan Ahmetmoskee in Istanbul before 1914

This photograph titled "Exterieur van de Sultan Ahmetmoskee in Istanbul" was created by Sébah & Joaillier. Imagine Istanbul at the turn of the century, a city steeped in history and tradition, yet increasingly exposed to Western gazes and desires. Sébah & Joaillier, a photography studio operating in this liminal space, captured images that catered to European tastes for Orientalist imagery. While seemingly a straightforward architectural study, the photograph also subtly encodes power dynamics and cultural exchanges. The meticulous depiction of the mosque, a symbol of Islamic heritage, is presented for consumption by a Western audience, framing the East as an object of observation and study. The choice to capture the exterior, rather than the interior, further emphasizes this distance, keeping the mysteries of the mosque at bay. The photograph serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between identity, representation, and cultural appropriation, urging us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in the act of seeing and being seen.