Jeddah exhibition showcases 500 years of Makkah, Madinah imagery
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A new exhibition in Jeddah offers visitors a rare chance to explore the historical evolution of Makkah and Madinah through art and photography spanning five centuries.
The exhibition, located in Jeddah Park, features three main galleries. The first gallery, Before the Invention of the Camera (1550–1880), showcases early artistic illustrations of the cities. The second gallery, The Early Photographers of Makkah and Madinah (1880–1920), presents rare photographs. The third gallery, The Golden Age of Photography (1920–present), highlights the modern visual record of the holy sites.
Visitors can view artistic illustrations made before photography’s invention in 1839. These works, created by both Muslim and non-Muslim artists, were etched onto copper and other metals, then printed and distributed across Europe. Professional illustrators often enhanced these images before publication.
The exhibition shows the shift from artistic interpretation to visual documentation. It includes early photographs of Makkah from 1297 AH (1880 CE). These images preserve customs, architecture and urban life.
The exhibition offers a visual record of the changing identity of Islam’s two holiest cities.