Mosque of Sultan Hassan, Cairo. 1846 - 1849

David Roberts made this print of the Mosque of Sultan Hassan in Cairo, during a time when European artists and intellectuals were increasingly drawn to the Middle East, and it reflects a complex moment in history. Roberts, like many of his contemporaries, was influenced by the Romantic movement's fascination with the exotic and the sublime. How might this affect what and how he chose to paint? This image captures not just the architecture but also the daily life within the mosque. The people are integral to the scene, their presence giving life to the grand architecture. It also reflects the power dynamics inherent in the act of representation, raising questions about whose perspectives are privileged and whose are marginalized. What does it mean to represent a culture or a place that isn’t your own? What responsibilities come with that act? This artwork prompts us to consider the historical context of cultural exchange, the politics of looking, and the emotional weight of encountering a place so different from one’s own.