Vendeurs d'eau Fraiche dans les rues du Caire c. 19th century

Félix Bonfils made this albumen print, “Vendeurs d'eau Fraiche dans les rues du Caire,” or "Fresh Water Sellers in the Streets of Cairo," in the late 19th century. The light-sensitive chemicals on paper capture a moment of daily life, but the sepia tones also distance it from our time. Consider the labor involved, both in the scene and behind the camera. The vendors carry heavy earthenware jars slung across their backs, vessels no doubt crafted by skilled potters. These jars hold water, a precious commodity, and its distribution is their livelihood. Bonfils, meanwhile, operated a commercial studio, producing images for a European audience eager to consume romanticized views of the East. Photography in this era required a cumbersome process: glass plate negatives, portable darkrooms, and meticulous chemical preparation. The final image is a product of both artistic vision and industrial chemistry, mediated by economic exchange and cultural curiosity. It is an important reminder that all images, no matter how seemingly candid, are constructed through a combination of materials, making, and social context.