Exhibition in Jeddah highlights 500 Years of visual history of Makkah and Madinah

A recently launched exhibition in Jeddah features an impressive collection of artwork and photos from five centuries ago, providing a unique look into the historical development of the two holy towns, Makkah and Madinah.

The exhibition, which is housed in Jeddah Park, is organized into three main galleries: The Golden Age of Photography (1920–present), The Early Photographers of Makkah and Madinah (1880–1920), and Before the Invention of the Camera (1550–1880).

Visitors can examine early representations of the holy cities through beautiful pictures produced by both Muslim and non-Muslim artists, long before photography was invented in 1839.

These works of art, which were etched onto copper and other metals, were subsequently reproduced and dispersed throughout Europe, frequently following professional illustrators' creative revisions and improvements.

Some of the first photographs of Makkah date back to 1297 AH (1880 CE), and the display emphasizes the shift from interpretative art to photographic realism.