Piramides van Cheops en Chefren, Gizeh 1862 - 1895

This albumen print of the Pyramids of Cheops and Chefren at Gizeh was created by Antonio Beato, an Italian-British photographer, at some point between 1860 and 1906. Beato’s photograph of the pyramids is more than just a record of the ancient world. It's also a product of its own time, the nineteenth century. Egypt was undergoing rapid modernization, spurred by European involvement, and this photograph reflects the growing fascination with its ancient history. Beato was part of a wave of photographers who captured the region for Western audiences, shaping their understanding of Egypt through carefully composed images like this one. To truly understand this photograph, we need to look at it in the context of European colonialism, the rise of tourism, and the development of photography as a tool for documentation and exploration. Art historical research involves delving into archives, studying travelogues, and exploring the visual culture of the period.