Graftomben van de koningen ["Tombeaux des rois, entrée de la cour et grottes/Tombs of the kings; caves and entrance of court"], Jeruzalem, Palestina c. 1850 - 1900

This photograph of the Tombs of the Kings in Jerusalem, Palestine, was produced by Maison Bonfils. It presents us with the entrance to the court and caves, offering a glimpse into a site laden with historical and cultural significance. The image invokes the visual codes of 19th-century Orientalism, a Western fascination with the Middle East. Maison Bonfils, a French studio operating in Beirut, capitalized on this interest. Their photographs, like this one, served not only as documentation but also as exotic souvenirs for European travelers. Consider the power dynamics at play. While the photograph captures a site of immense religious and historical importance to the local population, its production and consumption catered primarily to a Western audience, reinforcing colonial narratives and shaping perceptions of the region. To fully appreciate this photograph, we need to delve into the history of archaeological exploration in Palestine, the rise of tourism, and the complex interplay between Western and Middle Eastern cultures during this period. The interpretation of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.