Karnak (Thèbes), Enciente du Palais - Détails de Sculptures au Point O 1851 - 1852

This photograph of a sculpture at Karnak was taken by Félix Teynard, a French photographer, in the mid-19th century, a period marked by intense European interest in Egypt. Teynard's photograph offers a glimpse into the power dynamics of both ancient Egypt and the colonial era. The original sculpture likely depicts a pharaoh's military victories, reinforcing his divine right to rule. Teynard, through his lens, captures this image, framing it for a European audience fascinated by the ‘Orient.’ Consider the layers of representation here: the pharaoh's assertion of authority, the sculptor's rendering of that power, and Teynard's interpretation through photography. What does it mean to look at this image now, understanding its historical and cultural contexts? How does it shape our understanding of power, representation, and the gaze?