The Pyramids of Saqqara from the North-East 1858

This photograph of the Pyramids of Saqqara was captured by Francis Frith in the mid-19th century using a photographic process which was still in its relative infancy. Frith was one of the first British photographers to capture the Middle East and his work vividly reflects the Victorian era's fascination with ancient civilizations, and is also deeply entwined with the age of British colonialism. Through composition, lighting, and framing, the image constructs a particular narrative about Egypt: one of both timelessness and the exotic, filtered through a Western lens. Look closely, and you can even see small figures near the Step Pyramid of Djoser, emphasizing the vastness of the structures. Frith's photographs, were not merely documents; they were carefully constructed representations that reveal as much about the photographer and his intended audience, as they do about the pyramids themselves. Understanding Frith's place within the history of photography and British imperialism can enrich our appreciation of this seemingly straightforward depiction of ancient monuments.