[Mosque at Sultaniye, [same as 46] ] 1840 - 1869

Luigi Pesce made this photograph of the Mosque at Sultaniye in the mid-19th century. What we see here is more than just a building; it's a historical record, and a cultural artifact, presented through the relatively new medium of photography. Images like these were not just neutral records; they played a role in shaping European perceptions of the Middle East. Pesce, an Italian artist, presents a monumental structure, but also emphasizes its state of ruin, perhaps unintentionally echoing the Western romanticization of decay. The choice to photograph this subject is telling. European artists and intellectuals were increasingly interested in documenting and studying non-Western cultures, a movement that coincided with growing imperial ambitions. Understanding this image requires considering its historical moment and the photographer's cultural background. By researching travelogues, architectural surveys, and the history of photography itself, we can better appreciate the complex social dynamics that shaped its creation and reception.