Euripusstraat before 1910

Frédéric Boissonnas produced this photograph titled "Euripusstraat" as part of his travels in Greece. Boissonnas, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, lived in a period marked by the rise of colonialism and orientalism, shaping how Westerners perceived and depicted the East. The photograph presents a serene body of water under a night sky, its surface reflecting a glimmering light. The use of light and shadow evokes a sense of mystery, typical of romanticism. Boissonnas, coming from a wealthy family of photographers, had the privilege to travel, documenting the landscapes and people he encountered. This image invites us to consider the photographer's gaze and the romanticized depiction of foreign lands that were often constructed by privileged Westerners. Boissonnas’s work offers a window into the past, reflecting the complex relationship between travel, identity, and representation.