Gezicht op het schiereiland van Kizkale, gezien vanaf de citadel, Ani 1875 - 1880

This is a stereoscopic photograph of the Kizkale peninsula, as seen from the citadel of Ani, made by Onnes Kurkdjian in the late 19th century. Kurkdjian was an Armenian photographer who documented the architecture and landscapes of the region. This image provides a glimpse into the cultural and political context of Armenia during a period of upheaval and change, when the country was divided between the Ottoman and Russian empires. The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. The ruins of Ani, once the capital of a medieval Armenian kingdom, evoke a sense of past glory and lost identity. Kizkale was constructed in the Urartian period, and was used by Armenians as a convent. Further research into the history of Armenia during this period, along with an analysis of Kurkdjian's other photographs, can provide a deeper understanding of the social and institutional forces that shaped his work and the wider cultural landscape. Ultimately, the meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.