'Dritte Ansicht der Stadt Mekka: links die nördliche Ecke der Moschee; ein wenig südostlich von derselben das Bāb ès-salām, durch welches die Pilger in die Moschee eintreten'. Photographer: al-Sayyid ʻAbd al-Ghaffār

Content

Genre/Subject Matter

This image shows the city of Mecca from an elevated position due east of the Masjid al-Haram, or Grand Mosque. Parts of the city due north of the Masjid al-Haram are visible in the middleground.

A large two-storey, fortified building is situated immediately below the horizon on the foothills of the northern ridge, to the right of the image. The northernmost part of the Masjid al-Haram is visible just below the central point on the left edge of the image.

Derelict or semi-derelict structures make up the lower left foreground while a long ridge is visible in the background.

This is the third of four photographs taken from the same vantage point, which form a panoramic view over the city of Mecca. The first, second and fourth are X463/2, X463/3 and X463/5 respectively.

The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality along the left-hand edge.

Inscriptions

Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘IV’

Lower centre and upper centre: illegible, partially erased Arabic script

Extent and format

1 collotype print

It is part of

'Bilder aus Mekka' by Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje

62 images

Ref: X463

Physical characteristics

Dimensions:

188 x 245 mm

Format:

Collotype print, pasted into volume

Condition:

The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions, though no surface losses in the lower right of centre.

Foliation:

‘IV’

Process:

Collotype

Written in

Arabic in Arabic script

Type

Photograph

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

X463/4

History of this record

Date(s)

1886-1889 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Landscape photographyHistoric buildings

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'Dritte Ansicht der Stadt Mekka: links die nördliche Ecke der Moschee; ein wenig südostlich von derselben das Bāb ès-salām, durch welches die Pilger in die Moschee eintreten'. Photographer: al-Sayyid ʻAbd al-Ghaffār, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, X463/4, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023514790.0x000009> [accessed 10 December 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023514790.0x000009

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