[Valley of the Kings, Thebes] 1855 - 1859

This albumen silver print, titled "Valley of the Kings, Thebes," was taken by Francis Frith, a British photographer, in the mid-19th century. Frith's photograph captures the stark beauty of the Valley of the Kings during a period when Egypt was becoming a popular destination for European travelers and archaeologists. The image reflects the growing fascination with ancient Egyptian history and the increasing accessibility of archaeological sites. The inclusion of figures in the foreground gives scale to the landscape and invites viewers to imagine themselves as explorers in this distant land. The photograph is also a product of its time, reflecting the colonial gaze of Europeans toward non-Western cultures. The Valley of the Kings held immense historical and cultural significance for Egyptians. But, by the time Frith took this photograph, it had become a site for Western exploration and exploitation. To understand Frith's photograph fully, we might consider the social, political, and economic context in which it was made, exploring the dynamics of colonialism, tourism, and archaeological exploration in 19th-century Egypt.