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Historical Overview of North Africa: A Journey Through the Decades

Barbara Griffin06 mins

The Enigmatic History of Photochroms in North Africa

Photochroms offer a fascinating glimpse into North Africa’s vibrant past, capturing the essence of culture and life during a tumultuous era. This article delves into the technology behind these images, the society of the time, and their significance in today’s context.

What are Photochroms?

Photochroms are early color photographs created by exposing negatives to various surfaces. This method not only produced beautiful images but also represented a significant technological innovation of its time. Each photochrom is meticulously crafted using up to 24 slides, each contributing to the final, richly layered image.

The Cultural Landscape of North Africa

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, much of North Africa was under colonial rule. This era significantly influenced the subjects of photochroms, reflecting a complex interplay between colonial powers and local cultures.

Key Locations and Their Significance

  • The Harbor and Admiralty, Algiers: This bustling port was a focal point for trade and cultural exchange, as depicted in many photochroms.
  • Men leaving a Mosque in Tunis: Captured in the late 1800s, this image showcases the daily life and religious practices of the time.
  • Resting Bedouins at the Grand Pyramid, Cairo: These images reflect the allure of ancient sites for European tourists during the colonial period.
  • A mosque in Kairwan, Tunisia: This photochrom emphasizes the cultural divide, showcasing the life of indigenous people juxtaposed with colonial occupation.

Technological Advances in Photography

This innovative process of creating photochroms was patented in the 1890s, leading to widespread use across Europe and the United States. Consequently, high-quality images became more accessible, catering primarily to European tourists fascinated by North Africa’s beauty.

The Role of Art in Understanding History

Images are powerful tools that tell stories of their time. As Charlotte Chopin, an expert on colonial Algeria, notes, discussions surrounding who is represented in these images are crucial for understanding colonial narratives and the memories they evoke.

Conclusion

The legacy of photochroms in North Africa is a testament to the region’s rich cultural heritage and the profound effects of colonialism. These images serve not only as historical artifacts but also as visual narratives that continue to capture imaginations today.

The harbor and admiralty, Algiers, Algeria. The printing process of photochroms was efficient and could produce hundreds of thousands of copies from a single negative. A 7x9 inch photochrom cost approximately 35 cents at the turn of the 20th century.
The harbor and admiralty, Algiers, Algeria. The printing process of photochroms was efficient and could produce hundreds of thousands of copies from a single negative. A 7×9 inch photochrom cost approximately 35 cents at the turn of the 20th century.
Men leaving a mosque in Tunis, Tunisia circa 1899. Captured using a photolithography method known as a photochrom, it was an early way to create color stills from a camera.
Men leaving a mosque in Tunis, Tunisia circa 1899. Captured using a photolithography method known as a photochrom, it was an early way to create color stills from a camera.
A crowd surrounds a snake charmer in Tunis. Photochroms were created by taking the negative and exposing it to multiple flat surfaces such as stone, glass or zinc. As many as 24 separate slides would be used, each printing a different color. Together the inks would blend and create realistic hues.
A crowd surrounds a snake charmer in Tunis. Photochroms were created by taking the negative and exposing it to multiple flat surfaces such as stone, glass or zinc. As many as 24 separate slides would be used, each printing a different color. Together the inks would blend and create realistic hues.
Resting Bedouins at the Grand Pyramid, Cairo, Egypt. Helena Zinkham of the Library of Congress, where these rare photochroms are kept, says the main market for these high quality images was European tourists.
Resting Bedouins at the Grand Pyramid, Cairo, Egypt. Helena Zinkham of the Library of Congress, where these rare photochroms are kept, says the main market for these high quality images was European tourists.
Bridge in Constantine, Algeria. The photochrom process, invented in 1890, was soon patented by companies around Europe and the US. It's thought most of the photochroms from this period in North Africa were taken by Europeans, although many authors are unknown today.
Bridge in Constantine, Algeria. The photochrom process, invented in 1890, was soon patented by companies around Europe and the US. It’s thought most of the photochroms from this period in North Africa were taken by Europeans, although many authors are unknown today.
The label on this photochrom describes the subjects as 'Distinguished Moorish women' in Algiers. Who does and doesn't appear in these images is an important discussion point, says Charlotte Chopin, expert on colonial Algeria.
The label on this photochrom describes the subjects as ‘Distinguished Moorish women’ in Algiers. Who does and doesn’t appear in these images is an important discussion point, says Charlotte Chopin, expert on colonial Algeria.
The cathedral, Carthage, Tunisia. Swathes of North Africa were under colonial occupation during the late 19th and early 20th century, with France and Britain holding sway over much of the region.
The cathedral, Carthage, Tunisia. Swathes of North Africa were under colonial occupation during the late 19th and early 20th century, with France and Britain holding sway over much of the region.
A mosque in Kairwan, Tunisia. Chopin says that the photochroms show a tale of two cities, with indigenous and colonial classes rarely meeting.
A mosque in Kairwan, Tunisia. Chopin says that the photochroms show a tale of two cities, with indigenous and colonial classes rarely meeting.


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