19th-Century Commercial Photography in Egypt: Inside Pascal Sébah's Studio

Commercial photography flourished in Egypt from the 1860s as the country modernized and experienced a tourist boom. Pascal Sébah, a Turkish citizen of Levantine descent, was one of the most successful commercial photographers of the time, and his studio in Cairo produced a large repertoire of images catering to both Western and Egyptian elites. The success of his business depended upon both artistry and business acumen to produce commercial photographs that appealed to consumers.

This talk will present an overview of Pascal Sebah’s photographic business in Cairo from the 1860s to the 1880s, his business practice, and selections from his varied photographic production including: Egypt’s antiquities, studio or outdoor shots of its people, tourist experiences, as well as modern buildings, streets, and gardens of 19th-century Cairo.