Beit-Lehem, Mosaïque de l'Église II 1854 - 1859

Auguste Salzmann created this print of a mosaic in Bethlehem, documenting a significant religious site. Salzmann, active in the mid-19th century, navigated the complex politics of archaeological exploration in the Ottoman Empire, reflecting both scientific curiosity and colonial power dynamics. The mosaic itself offers a glimpse into the artistic and religious expressions of the Byzantine era. As you look at the figures rendered in a classical style, consider how the mosaic served as a site of cultural and religious identity, a place of gathering and spiritual expression for a community marked by its own intersectional identities. Salzmann's work captures this moment, albeit through a lens that was undoubtedly influenced by his own cultural background, making this print an interesting convergence of histories. The image, with its depiction of religious iconography, invites us to reflect on the enduring power of such places, and on the layers of identity and history embedded within them.