Qasr al-Nil-brug in Caïro 1888 - 1895

Jean Pascal Sébah made this photograph of the Qasr al-Nil Bridge in Cairo in the late 19th or early 20th century using an albumen print. The photographic process itself, with its darkroom alchemy and dependence on light and chemicals, was still relatively novel. The final image would have been affected by various factors: the length of exposure, the developing solutions, and the quality of the paper. And of course, the position of the photographer. Beyond that, the image captures the material of the bridge itself, the wrought iron that forms its structure. The bridge appears not only as a feat of engineering but also as a symbol of colonial ambition. Its presence in Cairo speaks to the global circulation of materials, capital, and labor that defined the era. The bridge is flanked by stone sculptures. Ultimately, photographs like this are a potent reminder that even seemingly straightforward images are the result of many different kinds of making. They invite us to consider the intersection of art, industry, and cultural exchange.