Drie afbeeldingen van handelsactiviteiten in de straten van Algiers, Algerije before 1893

These photographs of commercial life in Algiers were made around the turn of the 20th century by Jules Gervais-Courtellemont, as part of a project documenting life in French Algeria. This image gives us a glimpse into the economy of Algiers under French colonial rule. We see scenes of everyday commerce, capturing the architecture and the people involved in the local markets. The photographs are visual documents, part of a broader colonial project that sought to capture and represent the colonized world. Note that we see the economic activities, but not the social lives of the people. The photographs raise important questions about the power dynamics inherent in the act of representation. What choices did the photographer make, and how might those choices reflect the colonial gaze? What aspects of Algerian life are highlighted, and what is left out? These questions are important as we consider the role of photography in shaping perceptions and perpetuating stereotypes. To understand these photographs better, scholars might consult archives of colonial photography and consider postcolonial theory. By engaging with these resources, we can develop a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between art, power, and representation.