Nubie. Grand Temple d'Isis, A Philoe. Vue générale prise du nord 1850

This albumen print, "Nubie. Grand Temple d'Isis, A Philoe. Vue générale prise du nord," was created by Maxime Du Camp, a French writer and photographer. Du Camp was commissioned in 1849 to travel to Egypt, where he captured a variety of images depicting landscapes, monuments, and people. It’s hard to separate these images from the broader context of European colonialism. The dry, matter-of-fact style of the image flattens the cultural significance of the temple. The photograph serves as a historical document but also reflects the power dynamics inherent in the act of representation. While the image is ostensibly about the Temple of Isis, it also reveals the perspective of a Western photographer imposing a certain gaze upon a foreign land. Consider how these early photographs may have shaped European perceptions of Egypt. How does the act of viewing these images today affect our understanding of cultural heritage and the complexities of colonial history?