Beeldhouwwerk van de koningin van farao Ramses II in Luxor c. 1870 - 1890

This photograph by C. & G. Zangaki captures a sculpture of the queen of Pharaoh Ramses II in Luxor. It’s difficult to determine the exact date of this photograph, but we can assume that this photograph was taken during a time when Egypt was under significant European influence. What we see here isn't just an image of ancient royalty, but also a reflection of the West's fascination with Egypt's past. The photograph, as a medium, brings an aura of scientific objectivity, yet the framing and the very act of choosing what to photograph are subjective. This makes us think about the power dynamics at play when Western photographers documented non-Western cultures. To truly understand this photograph, we need to consider not only the history of ancient Egypt but also the history of photography, colonialism, and the institutional forces that shaped our understanding of different cultures. Art becomes meaningful when it is placed into its social and institutional context.