Stadsplein met verwoeste gebouwen, vermoedelijk in Egypte na een aardbeving c. 1870 - 1891

This is a photograph of a city square with damaged buildings, possibly in Egypt, made by C. & G. Zangaki. Though it captures the physical devastation, it also speaks to the socio-economic dynamics inherent in such disasters. The Zangaki brothers, of Greek origin, operated a photographic studio in Egypt during a time of significant European interest in the region. Their work, while documenting the landscape and people, also catered to Orientalist fantasies. Here, we see a bustling square amid ruins. Carriages suggest a degree of normalcy or perhaps the resilience of the privileged. Yet, the rubble reminds us of the disruptive impact on everyday lives, especially for those less able to recover. The image, therefore, presents a layered narrative about survival, class, and representation in a society marked by both progress and vulnerability. It invites us to reflect on whose stories are told and how history shapes our perceptions.