Jérusalem, Tombeau des rois de Juda, Fragments d'un sarcophage 1854 - 1859

Auguste Salzmann created this photograph, "Jerusalem, Tomb of the Kings of Judah, Fragments of a Sarcophagus," using the waxed paper negative process. The composition is dominated by the stark geometry of the fragmented sarcophagus against the organic, almost chaotic texture of the surrounding foliage. The contrasting textures create a visual tension which may evoke a sense of history disrupted by the passage of time. Salzmann’s choice to focus on these broken remnants speaks to a larger discourse surrounding archaeological exploration and its impact on historical narratives. The photograph functions almost as a semiotic sign; the disrupted form of the sarcophagus challenges fixed meanings. It invites the viewer to question the authority of historical representation and the potential for fragmentation and incompleteness within our understanding of the past. Consider how the formal qualities of the photograph, such as its tonality and composition, serve not just an aesthetic purpose but also engage with broader philosophical questions about history, truth, and representation.