Minaret van de Witte Moskee, Ramla c. 1867 - 1877

This albumen print from the late 19th century by Félix Bonfils captures the Minaret of the White Mosque in Ramla. The photograph is more than a simple record, it's a product of its time, reflecting the growing European interest in the Middle East. Bonfils, a French photographer, catered to a Western audience eager for images of biblical lands. The minaret, presented as a romantic ruin, speaks to the Orientalist fascination with the region's past. Notice the bare tree and the crumbling walls which evoke a sense of timelessness and decay, while the minaret itself, still standing tall, hints at a glorious past. This image participates in constructing a narrative about the Middle East as a site of ancient history, ready for Western rediscovery. Understanding this photograph requires us to look beyond its aesthetic appeal and consider the social and political context in which it was produced and consumed. Researching travelogues, colonial records, and photographic archives can reveal the complex interplay of power and representation in images like this one.