Jérusalem. Chapelle protestante et environs 1860

This photograph, titled Jérusalem. Chapelle protestante et environs, was captured by Louis de Clercq. In this albumen silver print, the materiality of the photographic process itself infuses the image with social and cultural significance. Consider the labor involved: from the mining of silver, essential for creating the light-sensitive emulsion, to the careful mixing of chemicals and the precise timing required for exposure and development. De Clercq skillfully employs these techniques, transforming ordinary materials into a window onto a distant world. The sepia tones evoke a sense of timelessness, while the sharp focus and careful composition reflect the photographer's technical expertise. Through his mastery of the medium, De Clercq invites us to contemplate the intersection of art, science, and culture in the 19th century. Ultimately, by recognizing the craft embedded within this photograph, we challenge conventional hierarchies that often separate artistic expression from the wider world of human labor and ingenuity.