Gezicht op het Alambaghpaleis in Lucknow before 1872

Darogha Ubbas Alli's 'Gezicht op het Alambaghpaleis in Lucknow' is a photograph using a historical process to document architecture. It invites us to consider the social and cultural significance embedded within its creation. The image’s materiality is directly linked to the labor and industrial processes of the time. The Alambagh Palace is captured through the lens of a camera, a relatively recent invention during that period. Consider the work involved in preparing the photographic materials, setting up the shot, and developing the print in the darkroom. The choice of photography as a medium also reflects a desire to document and capture the world with accuracy, influenced by technological advancements, and a growing interest in empirical observation. By focusing on the materials and processes, we understand how this photograph extends beyond mere representation. It becomes a testament to human ingenuity, and the intersection of art, technology, and society. In essence, it challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.