Interieur van een fort in Alexandrië before 1885

This is a photograph, taken by an anonymous photographer, of the interior of a fort in Alexandria. The printmaking process would have involved a range of skilled labor. From the making of the photographic paper, to the mixing of the chemicals. The work’s sepia tones would have been achieved through chemical development, each stage requiring careful handling and precise timing. The photograph's surface is matte, and it is likely mounted on a card support to prevent it from curling or bending, showing that it was made with care. The print is part of a bound book, probably intended for a wealthy traveler seeking to document their journey to Egypt. It is worth considering the social implications embedded in such an image. Photography at this time, while not new, was not yet widely available. The taking and production of the image was a mark of status and social standing. So, while the photograph documents the architecture of a fort, it simultaneously reflects the era’s class dynamics and imperial gaze.