Haute-Egypt, Salle Hypostyle à Karnak 1868 - 1872

Adolphe Braun captured “Haute-Egypt, Salle Hypostyle à Karnak” using photography, a relatively new medium at the time. The image presents the Karnak Temple's Hypostyle Hall. Braun was working during a period of intense European interest in ancient Egypt, fueled by colonial ambitions and archaeological discoveries. This photograph reflects a Western gaze on Egyptian cultural heritage, framing it as an object of study and admiration, but also, in a way, possession. The photograph’s composition emphasizes the grandeur and monumentality of the temple. Yet, it also subtly hints at the power dynamics inherent in such representations. Consider the absence of contemporary Egyptians in the frame, reinforcing a narrative of a civilization long past, open for Western interpretation. Think about what stories are told, and perhaps more importantly, what stories are left untold. What emotions does this image evoke in you? Does it provoke a sense of awe, or perhaps questions about cultural ownership and representation?