Portret van een bedoeïen met geweer op schoot before 1905

This photograph of a Bedouin man with a rifle was created by the Khardiache Frères. While we don't have an exact date, it's made using a process common in the late 19th century. The image is presented in tones of sepia, achieved by manipulating silver salts, which are sensitive to light, on paper. This chemical process, though technical, is also deeply connected to issues of labor and representation. The Khardiache brothers, like many photographers of their time, were part of a colonial project. They presented images of distant lands to European audiences, shaping perceptions of people and cultures. The photograph captures not only the Bedouin man's likeness, but also tells us about how photography itself was used as a tool for documentation and, at times, exploitation. Considering the materials and the means of production gives a more critical understanding of this artwork.