Portret van een onbekende Bishari-soldaat op een kameel 1870 - 1895

This photograph, of a Bishari soldier on a camel, was created by C. and G. Zangaki. The image is striking for its stark, almost geometrical composition. The pale tones and clear light emphasize the shapes of the figures and the backdrop. Notice the strong vertical lines of the soldier's spear, contrasted with the rounded forms of the camel and the shield. The photographer seems to have carefully balanced the composition, placing the subject slightly off-center, which creates a sense of movement and tension. The photograph provides insight into how the exotic ‘other’ was viewed. The lack of specific details, transforms the individual soldier into a symbol. This invites us to reflect on how photography functions not just as a record, but as a way of constructing and reinforcing cultural narratives. The photograph becomes a site where the interplay of form, representation, and cultural interpretation converges.