Intérieur du Temple de Khons, à Karnac, Thèbes 1849 - 1850

"Intérieur du Temple de Khons, à Karnac, Thèbes" is an early photographic print made by Maxime Du Camp. Taken in the mid-nineteenth century, this image reflects a moment of intense European interest in ancient Egypt. Du Camp was part of a wave of French artists and scholars who traveled to Egypt, often with the support of colonial projects. The photograph captures the grandeur of the Temple of Khons, but also hints at the power dynamics inherent in such expeditions. Note the figure seated in the shadows, possibly an Egyptian worker, whose presence underscores the social hierarchies of the time. Du Camp’s work invites us to consider how photography can both preserve and interpret history, shaping our understanding of different cultures and their legacies. It prompts questions about who gets to tell these stories, and whose perspectives are centered or marginalized.