Gezicht op Bethanië c. 1867 - 1895

This landscape photograph of Bethany was produced by Maison Bonfils. The firm, established in Beirut, played a crucial role in shaping the visual representation of the Middle East for Western audiences. This image, like many produced by the studio, invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in the act of seeing and representing a place. Whose perspective are we adopting when we gaze upon this landscape? The orientalist gaze, prevalent at the time, often exoticized and romanticized the region, reinforcing stereotypes and colonial narratives. This photograph, while seemingly objective, is enmeshed within these complex power structures. Consider the emotional impact of this image. Does it evoke a sense of wonder, a feeling of detachment, or perhaps even a discomfort with the act of observing a place and people from a distance? How does this image contribute to our understanding, or misunderstanding, of the region and its inhabitants?