Doorkijk naar de kamer van de sultan in het Bardopaleis in Tunis c. 1880 - 1900

This photograph, by an artist known only as AM, offers a glimpse into the Sultan's chamber within the Bardo Palace in Tunis. While the exact date is unknown, the image invites us to consider the historical and cultural contexts of power, religion, and identity. The photograph captures a man kneeling in prayer, framed by the ornate architecture. Islam is central to understanding both the space and the individual’s practice within it. How does the photographer, through their framing, participate in or challenge the narrative of orientalism, a Western gaze upon the ‘exotic’ East? The very act of documenting this private space raises questions about access, representation, and the power dynamics inherent in the colonial context. Through the lens, we contemplate the complexities of cultural exchange and representation, and the narratives we construct about each other. This image becomes more than just a visual record; it's an invitation to reflect on the gaze, the self, and the stories we tell.