Untitled [Cairo Date Unknown

This photograph of Cairo was made by an anonymous artist, date unknown. We can assume that it was made in the late 19th century, when photography was used to document the architecture and urbanism of non-western cities, especially in places under colonial control. The image shows a dense urban environment dominated by religious buildings and mosques. What can we learn from photographs such as this? The formal qualities of the architecture depicted here create meaning through historical associations. We can see visual evidence of the rich history of Cairo through its buildings. The photograph also tells us something about the culture of the time it was made. It provides insight into the European fascination with and consumption of imagery depicting non-western cities. More research into photographic archives, travel writing, and colonial history will help us to more deeply understand the social conditions that shaped the production of this artwork.