Eerste pyloon met reliëfs van de Tempel van Isis op het eiland Philae c. 1870 - 1898

Maison Bonfils made this photograph of the first pylon with reliefs of the Temple of Isis on Philae Island. The Bonfils firm operated out of Beirut in the late 19th century and produced thousands of photographs of the Middle East, marketing these images to tourists and scholars alike. This photograph offers a glimpse into the Western fascination with ancient Egypt, a cultural phenomenon fueled by archaeological discoveries and the burgeoning tourism industry. The image captures not just the temple's architecture but also a sense of its monumental scale. The reliefs, with their intricate details and symbolic significance, hint at the religious and cultural practices of ancient Egyptian society. The photograph's focus on the Temple of Isis also highlights the role of religious institutions in shaping ancient societies. As historians, we can look into sources, travelogues, and archaeological reports to better understand not only the historical significance of the temple itself but also the social and political conditions that led to the production and circulation of images like this one.