Porte de la Mosque, Sultan Hassan. Partie Inférieure 1858 - 1862

Wilhelm Hammerschmidt made this albumen silver print, titled "Porte de la Mosque, Sultan Hassan. Partie Inférieure," in the mid-19th century. The photograph depicts the lower section of a gate at the Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo. Hammerschmidt was part of a wave of European photographers documenting the architecture and culture of the Middle East. These images circulated widely in Europe, shaping perceptions of the region. The photograph's composition, with its focus on the intricate details of the mosque's architecture, reflects a Western fascination with Islamic art and design. However, it's crucial to consider the power dynamics at play. Egypt was undergoing significant social and political changes, including increasing European influence and control. Hammerschmidt’s photograph, while seemingly objective, participates in a broader colonial project of representing and classifying non-Western cultures. To understand this image fully, we need to look at travel accounts, colonial archives, and the history of photography in the Middle East. By doing so, we can better understand the complex relationship between art, power, and representation.