Vijver van Siloam bij Jeruzalem c. 1867 - 1895

Maison Bonfils' photograph captures the Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem, a site laden with historical and religious significance. The pool itself, a sunken basin of water, evokes themes of purification and healing, central to both Jewish and Christian traditions. The Gospel of John recounts Jesus healing a blind man by instructing him to wash in this very pool; echoing ancient rituals of cleansing. The act of immersion, of entering the water and emerging renewed, can be traced back to Mesopotamian water rituals, symbolizing death and rebirth. We see it also in John the Baptist’s rite of baptism in the Jordan River. The Siloam Pool, therefore, is not just a place, but a nexus of cultural memory, where ancient beliefs in water's transformative power converge with the narratives of faith. The image resonates on a deep, almost subconscious level, tapping into our collective understanding of water as a life-giving and restorative force. This photograph preserves a moment in time and invites us to reflect on the enduring power of symbols that transcend epochs.