Gezicht op een stadswijk aan de voet van de Galatatoren in Istanbul after 1890

This albumen print captures a view of a district in Istanbul, at the foot of the Galata Tower. It was produced by Sébah & Joaillier, a photographic studio active in the late 19th century. Photography, then in its relative infancy, relied on a complex chemistry. The albumen process, in particular, required coating paper with egg whites to create a light-sensitive surface. The resulting images, like this one, have a distinctive sepia tone, a consequence of the materials used and the developing process. Beyond its aesthetic qualities, the photograph is also a record of labor and commerce. Studios like Sébah & Joaillier catered to a growing market for images of exotic locales, employing skilled technicians to produce these views. The photograph itself became a commodity, circulated and consumed within a globalizing world. Understanding the materials and processes behind this image is key to recognizing its complex relationship to labor, politics, and consumption.