Gezicht op het Mena House Hotel nabij Caïro 1887 - 1900

Editor: Here we have a photographic print, dating from between 1887 and 1900, titled "View of the Mena House Hotel near Cairo," and attributed to G. Lekegian & Co. I'm immediately struck by the stark contrast between the ancient pyramids and the somewhat imposing, but decidedly more modern hotel structure. It makes me wonder about the relationship between these two different eras. What jumps out at you when you see this photograph? Curator: It's that very juxtaposition, isn’t it? This albumen print serves as a powerful document of the rise of tourism and Western interest in Egypt during that period. The Mena House Hotel, constructed near the pyramids, literally inserts itself into the landscape of antiquity. Consider the indigenous population – are they presented as active participants, or more as part of the scenery for the Western gaze? Editor: I see what you mean. The figures with the camels seem somewhat small and perhaps more like props, wouldn't you agree? It makes me think about the photographer’s intent – was it simply to document the hotel, or was there a deeper commentary on cultural appropriation happening here? Curator: Exactly! This is where thinking about the role of photography and its consumption comes in. The orientalist style was quite popular, feeding a European desire for the exotic. This photo could easily have been used as a promotional tool, but what story isn’t being told in that idyllic scene? Editor: This really makes me rethink the image, I originally just saw the aesthetic appeal of contrasting new and old architecture. Now I see a more complex narrative about power and representation. Curator: It's fascinating how a single image can unveil layers of social and historical dynamics when we analyze its cultural context. What starts as simple scenery turns into a complex discussion about colonialism and the marketing of cultures. Editor: I'll never look at a "simple" landscape photograph the same way again.