Sala de las Camas in het Alhambra c. 1860 - 1900

Editor: This photograph, entitled "Sala de las Camas in het Alhambra", taken sometime between 1860 and 1900 by F. Linares, really captures the intricate detailing of the architecture. What strikes me is the sheer amount of labor that must have gone into creating this space. What do you see when you look at this work? Curator: I see a photograph that documents not only architectural design but also a moment in the history of photographic reproduction. We should consider the albumen print process – how it utilizes light-sensitive chemicals and demanding darkroom practices. Editor: So, it's not just about the building, but also the way the image itself was built? Curator: Exactly! Think about the material resources necessary for this photographic print in the late 19th century. What labor was involved in its production, distribution, and consumption? Beyond the artist’s perspective, let's contemplate the role of studio assistants. What implications were these processes having on artistic production? Editor: I hadn't really thought about the impact of the photographic materials and production like that, or about the number of hands involved in its production and its distribution! Curator: Furthermore, consider the intended audience of this photograph. Was it created for documentation purposes, to show this to tourists or other people, or perhaps even as an artistic product for sale? What does its existence reveal about the commodification and marketing of Islamic art and architecture during that time? Editor: It is easy to look at an image and not consider the work behind its materiality. I think I'll definitely be looking at photographs and other forms of art in a new way from now on! Curator: Precisely! Focusing on materiality encourages us to rethink authorship, value, and the complex relationships between art and society.