Ernest Benecke (1817−1894) visited Upper Egypt, Nubia and Cairo between January and August 1852, before continuing through Syria, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Athens and Florence. His attention was attracted by street musicians, beggars, slave traders and women from a harem, whom he photographed very simply against a white backdrop to make them stand out. Taken with no artifice or embellishment, these portraits convey a sense of freshness and closeness to their subjects.