Zuilengalerij in de Tempel van Esna c. 1870 - 1890

This photograph of the column gallery in the Temple of Esna was taken by C. & G. Zangaki. It's a beautiful demonstration of the way photography was used in the late 19th century, not just to record what the world looked like, but to give access to remote locations and incredible feats of human ingenuity. Take a closer look at the image. The sheer amount of labour involved in producing this space is evident. The columns rise up in perfect symmetry, covered in hieroglyphs, and we get a sense of the division of labor. The original architects, stonemasons, and sculptors made the temple, but also the photographers who journeyed to capture it, and the workers who prepared the photographic plates. Photography democratized access to art and architecture. It allowed for the mass distribution of images, fostering appreciation and knowledge. It also created a new industry, with studios, photographers, and technicians all playing a role. So, next time you look at a photograph, remember that it is not just a picture, but the result of skill, vision, and a complex set of processes.