Roma. De Nijl c. 1893 - 1903

This photograph, "Roma. De Nijl," was captured by Fratelli Alinari, and is currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It captures the Western fascination with, and interpretation of, the Nile River in Rome. The sculpture of the Nile, depicted here, is a telling example of cultural appropriation. The reclining male figure surrounded by cherubic children and a sphinx, embodies a Roman vision of exoticism and abundance. In the image, the Nile is rendered as a symbol of colonial power, a feminized and fertile resource to be dominated. This representation highlights how classical art traditions were mobilized to reinforce hierarchies during the height of European imperialism. The photograph itself further flattens the cultural significance of the Nile, turning a complex history into a picturesque object. It invites us to reflect on how images participate in constructing and perpetuating narratives of power and difference.