Fotoalbum met gezichten uit Egypte, Israël en Palestina c. 1867 - 1910

This is a photograph album with faces from Egypt, Israel, and Palestine, made by an anonymous artist. This album speaks volumes about the cultural and social context of travel and representation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The very act of compiling such an album suggests a certain level of privilege, reflecting the tradition of the Grand Tour among the European upper classes, now facilitated by new technologies and a growing tourist industry. The album's focus on faces from Egypt, Israel, and Palestine hints at the Western gaze directed toward the Middle East, a region often romanticized and exoticized in European art and literature. The unnamed individuals within its pages become part of a visual narrative, reinforcing existing social and cultural stereotypes. Understanding the album requires us to examine the history of photography, colonialism, and the politics of representation. By considering these factors, we can gain a deeper understanding of the power dynamics at play in the creation and consumption of these images.