Portret van een onbekende bedoeïenensjeik c. 1867 - 1877

This photograph of an unknown Bedouin sheik was taken by Félix Bonfils in the late 19th century. It’s made from albumen print, a process that involves coating paper with egg white to create a glossy surface for the photographic emulsion. The choice of albumen is interesting. It gives the image a certain luminosity and depth, drawing us into the subject's gaze. But it's also a somewhat fragile material, prone to fading and discoloration over time. This inherent vulnerability mirrors the shifting sands of history and the transient nature of cultural encounters. Bonfils was part of a wave of European photographers who traveled to the Middle East, documenting its people and landscapes. His work was both an act of observation and of cultural consumption, reflecting a growing fascination with the "exotic" other. It invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in the act of image-making. By considering both its beauty and its social context, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.