Bethlehem, with the Church of the Nativity 1857

Francis Frith’s 1857 photograph, “Bethlehem, with the Church of the Nativity”, depicts a panoramic view of the city of Bethlehem, Palestine. The photograph shows a hilly landscape with a lone figure seated in the foreground. The Church of the Nativity, a significant religious site, is visible in the distance, dominating the skyline. Frith, known for his travel photography, captured the historic and cultural significance of Bethlehem, a city revered by many religious traditions. This black and white image, housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, showcases Frith’s meticulous documentation of the Holy Land during the 19th century.