Obelisk in Heliopolis c. 1850 - 1865

This is Francis Frith’s photograph, ‘Obelisk in Heliopolis,’ made sometime in the mid-19th century. It depicts the ancient obelisk that stood in Heliopolis, Egypt. Frith was one of the first British photographers to capture images of the Middle East and his work, commissioned for commercial distribution, played a crucial role in shaping European perceptions of the region. Photography at this time, was not just a means of documentation but also a tool of colonial vision. What stories did the British want to tell about Ancient Egypt? What did they leave out? In this context, Frith's photograph invites us to reflect on the politics of imagery and the role of photography in constructing and reinforcing cultural narratives. By engaging with Frith’s work and others of this time, and delving into travelogues, colonial archives, and the history of photography, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, power, and representation in the 19th century.