Gezicht op ruiters in de Vallei der Koningen, Egypte 1857 - 1859

Francis Frith made this stereoscopic photograph, 'Gezicht op ruiters in de Vallei der Koningen, Egypte', using the collodion process, a popular method in the 19th century. Frith, a British photographer, embarked on several expeditions to the Middle East during the 1850s. This image, like many of his works, reflects the Victorian fascination with the ‘Orient’, a region often romanticized and exoticized by Westerners. It presents a view of the Valley of the Kings, a site laden with historical and religious significance. The inclusion of riders, likely local guides or members of an expedition, subtly underscores the dynamic between Western explorers and the lands they traversed. This dynamic is deeply rooted in colonial power structures. Frith's photographs were not merely records; they shaped perceptions, creating a visual narrative of Egypt that catered to Western audiences. What does it mean to be a tourist versus an explorer? What do these riders see and feel about this landscape, compared to Frith himself? It invites us to reflect on whose stories are told and whose are often left unseen.