Ruïnes in de christelijke wijk van Damascus 1860 - 1880

"Ruïnes in de christelijke wijk van Damascus" is a stereo photograph by Ferrier Père-Fils et Soulier. Here we see the ruins of a neighbourhood, presumably after a violent conflict. How might these ruins reflect the social and political conditions of the late 19th century in Damascus? As historians, we can look at the history of religious conflict in the region, including the 1860 Druze-Maronite conflict and its impact on Damascus. The image presents a contrast between the apparent timelessness of ruins, a traditional romantic subject, and the modern technology of photography. How was photography being used at the time to document conflict and colonial expansion? What was the role of French photographers in documenting the Middle East, and what biases might they have brought to their work? By looking at historical documents and accounts, we can begin to understand the complex social and institutional context in which this photograph was made.