Huis met mashrabiya in Jeruzalem c. 1870 - 1910

This photograph, "Huis met mashrabiya in Jeruzalem," was taken by C. & G. Zangaki. It presents a scene of daily life with an emphasis on architectural details. The photograph's composition is structured around the building's facade, which is striking for its mashrabiya—ornate latticework screens. These screens create a play of light and shadow, adding depth and texture to the image. The building itself is the dominant vertical element, balanced by the horizontal lines of the balconies and windows. The figures on the street, though small, are integral to the scene. They give scale to the building, inviting the viewer to imagine inhabiting this space. The monochrome palette emphasizes form and structure. The latticework patterns serve not just as decoration, but also as semiotic signs, hinting at ideas of privacy, cultural identity, and the gaze. This image serves as an exploration of space, where the boundaries between public and private, seen and unseen are subtly negotiated.