Gezicht op de citadel van Caïro before 1862

Francis Frith captured this photograph of the Citadel of Cairo in the 19th century, a period marked by European colonial interest in the Middle East. Frith, a British photographer, aimed to document Egypt, yet his work was also a product of its time, reflecting the complex power dynamics between the West and the East. The photograph captures the Citadel in the distance, a symbol of authority, while the foreground shows the ruins of the city. This juxtaposition invites us to consider themes of power, decay, and the gaze of the outsider. The image might evoke a sense of romanticism, but it's also crucial to remember the unequal relationship between the photographer and the photographed. Frith's photograph is a testament to a moment in time, but also an artifact of cultural exchange viewed through the lens of colonial history.