Gezicht op Baalbek c. 1867 - 1877

Félix Bonfils created this albumen print titled "Gezicht op Baalbek" in the late 19th century. It captures a panoramic view of Baalbek, now in Lebanon, during a period of intense Western interest in the Middle East. Bonfils, as a Western photographer, was part of a broader colonial gaze that often exoticized and romanticized Middle Eastern landscapes and cultures. This image, while seemingly a straightforward depiction of ruins and a town, participates in the power dynamics of the time. The photograph presents a view that emphasizes the grandeur of the ancient Roman ruins against the backdrop of the contemporary town, subtly reinforcing a narrative of Western superiority and historical legacy. What does it mean to look at this image now, recognizing its historical context? How does it shape our understanding of cultural exchange and representation? It invites us to reflect on the complexities of seeing and being seen, and the enduring impact of colonial perspectives on our understanding of history and place.