Jérusalem. Synagogue juive et environs 1860

This albumen print of Jerusalem, made by Louis de Clercq, showcases the city's Jewish synagogue and surrounding area, utilizing a process that was at the forefront of photographic technology in its time. The albumen process, requiring meticulous preparation of paper coated with egg white and silver nitrate, yields an image of exceptional detail and tonal range. Light etches the scene into the chemically treated surface, capturing not just the visual likeness of Jerusalem, but also embedding a moment of its history into the fibers of the paper. The sepia tones, characteristic of albumen prints, lend a timeless quality, yet also speak to the labor-intensive processes behind early photography, where art and science converged. De Clercq’s choice of medium is significant. Photography in the mid-19th century represented a shift in visual culture, providing new ways of seeing and documenting the world. In viewing this photograph, consider the ways in which new technologies shape perception and understanding, bridging the gap between art, documentation, and cultural memory.