A Carte de Visite (CDV) photograph depicting a Middle Eastern man standing beside a donkey adorned with a patterned saddle blanket and traditional harness. The man, dressed in a vest, loose-fitting trousers, and a distinct embroidered hat, adds rich cultural context to the image. The donkey, prominently posed in profile, displays sturdy features and intricate tack, reflecting its importance as a working animal in the region. The clean, minimal backdrop isolates the subjects, drawing attention to their details, attire, and craftsmanship, a hallmark of 19th-century studio or travel photography. This CDV likely represents a visual record of Middle Eastern rural or nomadic life, possibly created for Western audiences interested in “exotic” cultures and customs during the height of the Orientalist photographic movement.
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