![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S6QCYSKP665S5SBPERP6FPQMFI.jpg?smart=true&auth=2005fd34dccd2c950016ced87a231e238ba1092a17b3dea7a69f27ef03a669fb&width=400&height=225)
A Bedouin carrying a falcon in the Syrian desert, taken by Jibrail Jabbur, gelatin silver negative on film. Norma Jabbur collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QFKA4NYWBRMIEWY273O46V3LK4.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f29a4f8ae204fa18e86317ea218853863ab5950c5523d798f589d8a57e95751&width=400&height=225)
Studio portraits mounted on cardboard, Amman, Jordan, 1930-1940, gelatin silver developing-out paper print. Bedros Doumanian Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HS32VPP3EB2SDXX76XS3VQOQ3Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=67a2e1995384684f474162f5a5919e94b2b07590603d1042e365c09e91124b9e&width=400&height=225)
Hand-coloured portrait of Hussein and Ahmed Assad by Anis el Soussi in Lebanon, January 1, 1946, gelatin silver developing-out paper print (recto-verso). Fahime Zeidan Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WCWM7V5NJYSKWLRDU3KV63A4NE.jpg?smart=true&auth=e3a9a2498c4ea6a601fe6f233250f5400ec34b0fef85147cea396eb8095d8670&width=400&height=225)
Portrait of Tamara Toumanova, ballet dancer by Armand (real name Armenak Azrouni) in Egypt, 1950-1960, digital conversion of a gelatin silver negative on glass and digital conversion. Armand Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y6DQV7KO45HXXHRQ4SDH3ASTCU.jpg?smart=true&auth=872dfbb915fffc5bce5e4dc2539043986a86e78325b20706a7b8cf611b93a5cb&width=400&height=225)
Self-portrait of Camille el Kareh in Zgharta, Lebanon, 1920, digital conversion of a gelatin silver negative on glass. Mohsen Yammine Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YYUUGCVPK62AK6JXUCOO4XP554.jpg?smart=true&auth=4489534d93868db136ea10c4aa035c9583e2612c9840b89a4b5cc2ad2b1df916&width=400&height=225)
Promotional portrait annotated by the photographer, Alfredo Yazbek from Mexico, 1950s, gelatin silver developing-out paper print. Alfredo Yazbek Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MRBZXH5SVSZM647D3NOADA4NKA.jpg?smart=true&auth=e8b7972a3921b03d803d8669a92131e65921819cc0faec58177ba157bf000b77&width=400&height=225)
Undated hand-coloured photograph from Morocco, gelatin silver developing-out paper print. Mami Bargach Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RVTSKNHEJDT6SCKXNKNNCSOOVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=f7aca0de1e680fbbe56a354f3c1ec09caed698f0d0ad5d0e849cd7cadd557fb4&width=400&height=225)
A creative print taken in 1905 in Palestine by an unknown photographer showing a Mr Skaff in four different positions around a dinner table, gelatin silver developing-out paper print. Yacoub Katimi Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M7PNPOSP7OQCDWZNUXHKT65FJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1f371b9f86af94a1d194cf790dcff2ad674e9c79316a9e599413dde87a556f11&width=400&height=225)
A public demonstration in support of Gamal Abdel Nasser in Sidon, Lebanon, 1956, gelatin silver negative on polyester film. Chafic El-Soussi Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z2MWXC4J2NRLWAKX7TIAZXHZ6U.jpg?smart=true&auth=5c7ec46e719d218ad51a3e638dbd3958fdb2bc16e82b42ae0d760bb26f7ee202&width=400&height=225)
A portrait of Gulperie Eflatoun in a lamp base, Georges Henein, Cairo, Egypt, 1945, gelatin silver developing-out paper print. Gulperie Eflatoun Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NVQF533Z6JGVYCDXSHLIVANUPU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b870a23d8d88015c95cc02bbfb5237bcafab1a2600b432f0a6f394e58c9057c2&width=400&height=225)
Portrait of a woman on a horse, Selim Abu Izzedine, Egypt, undated (circa 20th century), silver negative on glass. Faysal Abu Izzeddin Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DTPSEKYCHDYS5GZYNX4O66XISU.jpg?smart=true&auth=6a5e2a6a3ecee7901fffa66f4ed77ded5ffd68f11db51a26a4ca7a15f2e4bea9&width=400&height=225)
Al Manara road, taken by Eugene Cottard, Beirut, Lebanon, 1914, stereograph transparency. Eugene Cottard Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S6QCYSKP665S5SBPERP6FPQMFI.jpg?smart=true&auth=2005fd34dccd2c950016ced87a231e238ba1092a17b3dea7a69f27ef03a669fb&width=400&height=225)
A Bedouin carrying a falcon in the Syrian desert, taken by Jibrail Jabbur, gelatin silver negative on film. Norma Jabbur collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QFKA4NYWBRMIEWY273O46V3LK4.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f29a4f8ae204fa18e86317ea218853863ab5950c5523d798f589d8a57e95751&width=400&height=225)
Studio portraits mounted on cardboard, Amman, Jordan, 1930-1940, gelatin silver developing-out paper print. Bedros Doumanian Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HS32VPP3EB2SDXX76XS3VQOQ3Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=67a2e1995384684f474162f5a5919e94b2b07590603d1042e365c09e91124b9e&width=400&height=225)
Hand-coloured portrait of Hussein and Ahmed Assad by Anis el Soussi in Lebanon, January 1, 1946, gelatin silver developing-out paper print (recto-verso). Fahime Zeidan Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WCWM7V5NJYSKWLRDU3KV63A4NE.jpg?smart=true&auth=e3a9a2498c4ea6a601fe6f233250f5400ec34b0fef85147cea396eb8095d8670&width=400&height=225)
Portrait of Tamara Toumanova, ballet dancer by Armand (real name Armenak Azrouni) in Egypt, 1950-1960, digital conversion of a gelatin silver negative on glass and digital conversion. Armand Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y6DQV7KO45HXXHRQ4SDH3ASTCU.jpg?smart=true&auth=872dfbb915fffc5bce5e4dc2539043986a86e78325b20706a7b8cf611b93a5cb&width=400&height=225)
Self-portrait of Camille el Kareh in Zgharta, Lebanon, 1920, digital conversion of a gelatin silver negative on glass. Mohsen Yammine Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YYUUGCVPK62AK6JXUCOO4XP554.jpg?smart=true&auth=4489534d93868db136ea10c4aa035c9583e2612c9840b89a4b5cc2ad2b1df916&width=400&height=225)
Promotional portrait annotated by the photographer, Alfredo Yazbek from Mexico, 1950s, gelatin silver developing-out paper print. Alfredo Yazbek Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MRBZXH5SVSZM647D3NOADA4NKA.jpg?smart=true&auth=e8b7972a3921b03d803d8669a92131e65921819cc0faec58177ba157bf000b77&width=400&height=225)
Undated hand-coloured photograph from Morocco, gelatin silver developing-out paper print. Mami Bargach Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RVTSKNHEJDT6SCKXNKNNCSOOVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=f7aca0de1e680fbbe56a354f3c1ec09caed698f0d0ad5d0e849cd7cadd557fb4&width=400&height=225)
A creative print taken in 1905 in Palestine by an unknown photographer showing a Mr Skaff in four different positions around a dinner table, gelatin silver developing-out paper print. Yacoub Katimi Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M7PNPOSP7OQCDWZNUXHKT65FJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1f371b9f86af94a1d194cf790dcff2ad674e9c79316a9e599413dde87a556f11&width=400&height=225)
A public demonstration in support of Gamal Abdel Nasser in Sidon, Lebanon, 1956, gelatin silver negative on polyester film. Chafic El-Soussi Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z2MWXC4J2NRLWAKX7TIAZXHZ6U.jpg?smart=true&auth=5c7ec46e719d218ad51a3e638dbd3958fdb2bc16e82b42ae0d760bb26f7ee202&width=400&height=225)
A portrait of Gulperie Eflatoun in a lamp base, Georges Henein, Cairo, Egypt, 1945, gelatin silver developing-out paper print. Gulperie Eflatoun Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NVQF533Z6JGVYCDXSHLIVANUPU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b870a23d8d88015c95cc02bbfb5237bcafab1a2600b432f0a6f394e58c9057c2&width=400&height=225)
Portrait of a woman on a horse, Selim Abu Izzedine, Egypt, undated (circa 20th century), silver negative on glass. Faysal Abu Izzeddin Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DTPSEKYCHDYS5GZYNX4O66XISU.jpg?smart=true&auth=6a5e2a6a3ecee7901fffa66f4ed77ded5ffd68f11db51a26a4ca7a15f2e4bea9&width=400&height=225)
Al Manara road, taken by Eugene Cottard, Beirut, Lebanon, 1914, stereograph transparency. Eugene Cottard Collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S6QCYSKP665S5SBPERP6FPQMFI.jpg?smart=true&auth=2005fd34dccd2c950016ced87a231e238ba1092a17b3dea7a69f27ef03a669fb&width=400&height=225)
A Bedouin carrying a falcon in the Syrian desert, taken by Jibrail Jabbur, gelatin silver negative on film. Norma Jabbur collection, courtesy of the Arab Image Foundation
Arab Image Foundation: Half a million images that tell the Middle East's true tales
The Beirut photo archive offers a snapshot of the everyday lives of people in the region from as far back as 1860 – and it’s just gone digital
Alasdair Soussi
04 July, 2019
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