Gezicht op de oostelijke kant van de noordoostelijke hoek en een gezicht op de Gouden Poort van de Tempelberg in Jeruzalem, gezien vanuit het noordoosten before 1865

James McDonald produced this albumen print of Jerusalem's Temple Mount sometime in the 19th century. It's a medium that allowed for detailed, reproducible images, fitting for a time of growing interest in archaeological and religious sites. McDonald's photograph isn't just a neutral record; it's a product of its time. In 19th-century Europe, there was a surge of exploration and documentation of the Middle East, often intertwined with colonial ambitions and religious interests. The image presents a view of the city that catered to European tastes, framing Jerusalem as an ancient, almost biblical site. Note how the rough, unadorned stonework and the lack of people emphasize the timeless and remote quality, aligning with Western perceptions of the Holy Land. To fully understand this image, we'd need to delve into the archives of missionary societies, travelogues, and colonial records. These sources would reveal the complex interplay of religious, political, and cultural forces that shaped how Jerusalem was seen and represented during this period. The study of art becomes the study of cultural history itself.