Kampement met kamelen buiten de stadsmuren in Marokko c. 1880 - 1910

Antonio Cavilla made this photograph in Morocco using photographic paper and darkroom equipment. The sepia tones, a by-product of the developing process, give the image an aged, historical feel, while its materiality serves as a direct index of the subject itself. Note the careful composition: the weary camels in the foreground, the crowd of people bustling in the background, and in the distance the stark architecture. Cavilla’s photograph captures a moment in time, but also speaks to the broader cultural and economic landscape of Morocco at the turn of the century. Photography was rapidly developing at this time. It became a means of documentation, a tool for scientific study, and also a form of artistic expression. Consider the labor involved, from the photographer to the subjects to the production of materials. The final photograph invites us to reflect on the role of photography in shaping our understanding of different cultures and societies, challenging any divisions between art, craft, and documentation.