Entrance Court of the Lions, Alhambra c. 1960

Charles Clifford captured this albumen print of the Entrance Court of the Lions at the Alhambra. This photograph exists within a colonial context, taken at a time when European photographers were documenting and, in a sense, possessing foreign lands through the lens. Clifford, an Englishman, presents us with an image of Moorish Spain, subtly framing a narrative about cultural heritage and power dynamics. The Alhambra, a symbol of Islamic civilization in Spain, is here rendered through the eyes of a Western photographer. Note how the play of light and shadow emphasizes the intricate details of the architecture, almost romanticizing the past while silently asserting a European gaze. What does it mean to capture a space so laden with cultural and religious history through the detached medium of photography? How does it speak to the complex relationships between identity, representation, and historical narrative? The image invites us to reflect on the layers of history and perception embedded within its frame.