Tempel van Luxor gezien vanaf de Nijl 1862 - 1895

Antonio Beato captured this albumen print, “Temple of Luxor seen from the Nile,” during his time in Egypt in the late 19th century. The image presents us with a dual perspective: the grandeur of ancient Egyptian architecture and the everyday life of the people who lived alongside it. The temple, a symbol of enduring power and religious significance, is viewed from the Nile, a crucial waterway. The inclusion of the boat suggests a society reliant on the river for trade, transport, and sustenance. The presence of the people in the boat contextualizes the historical importance of the Nile in that same society. Beato worked in a colonial context, and his photographs were often consumed by Europeans interested in the "Orient." We can analyze the photograph in relation to the history of archaeology, the colonial gaze, and the global art market. By researching the archives of photography, colonial-era travelogues, and accounts of the Egyptian exploration, we can understand the complex interplay between art, history, and power.