Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

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Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Categories: History

These color postcards from the sunny streets of Tunis were created using photochromy technology, in which monochrome images are given realistic colors and shades. This technology is the forerunner of color photography.

Photochromy (color lithography) was invented by a Swiss publisher in the 1880s. The process began with coating a plate of lithographic limestone with a photosensitive emulsion. Then it was exposed to the sun under a photonegative for several hours. The emulsion solidified in proportion to the shades of the image. The softer fragments of the emulsion were removed with a solvent, and the image remained on the lithographic stone.

The photographer carefully outlined the features of the colors in the photo. According to his notes, separate lithographic stones were prepared for each color in the final version of the image. Often there were more than a dozen lithographic stones per postcard. As a result of a complex and delicate process, incredibly colorful images were obtained with much greater accuracy than in a conventional colorized photograph.

We invite you to look at the exquisite palaces and lively markets of Tunis in the first decade of the French protectorate.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries Source: Mashable

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Souk El Truk Bazaar in Tunis.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

A street in Kairouan.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Tunisian locals.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

St. Louis Cathedral in Carthage.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Private living room, Qasr El Said.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

The bedroom of the late Bey of Tunis, Qasr El Said, Tunisia.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

View of Kairouan from the minaret of the Grand Mosque.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

The market in Kairouan.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Streets of Kairouan.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Kairouan.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

A wandering cook, Kairouan.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

The coastal area in Sousse.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

View of Tunisia from the Pari Hotel.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Marr Street in Tunis.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

A family of Bedouin beggars.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Near the Moorish cafe.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Bab Suika-Suker Square, Tunisia.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Throne Room of the Bardo Palace, Tunis.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

The courtroom of the Bardo Palace, Tunis.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Sadiki Hospital.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Kasbah Market in Tunisia.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

French Gate, Tunis.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

A bazaar in Tunis.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Moorish cafe.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Ivory Market, Tunisia.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Street procession in Kairouan.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

At the entrance to the mosque, Tunisia.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Performance of the snake charmer in Tunisia.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

St. Catherine's Mosque in Tunis.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

Sellers of couscous, Tunisia.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

A group of Arabs in front of Bab Aleona, Tunisia.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

A camp of nomads.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

A street in Tunisia.

Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries

A Bedouin woman.

Keywords: XIX century | XX century | Postcards | Tunisia | Color photos

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