Calvarie bij de twaalfde en dertiende kruiswegstatie op de Golgotha in Jeruzalem 1867 - 1885

Félix Bonfils made this photograph of Calvary at the twelfth and thirteenth stations of the cross on Golgotha in Jerusalem. Bonfils, a Frenchman, was part of a wave of 19th-century photographers who traveled to the Middle East to document its landscapes, people, and religious sites. This image is a product of its time, when European powers were expanding their influence in the region. Photography played a role in this, creating visual records that reinforced European perceptions and interests. Bonfils's photographs were often marketed to European tourists and scholars interested in biblical history and the Holy Land. In this photograph, we see the interior of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a site of profound religious significance. The image captures the ornate details of the church, emphasizing its grandeur and historical importance. To truly understand this photograph, we can consult travel accounts, missionary records, and colonial archives that shed light on the complex interactions between Europe and the Middle East during this period. By examining these sources, we gain insight into the social and cultural context that shaped Bonfils's work and its reception.