Façade de l'Eglise du St. Sépulcre, à Jérusalem (No. 2 partie supérieure) 1850

Maxime Du Camp made this photograph of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre façade in Jerusalem using the calotype process. Note how the sepia tones lend the stone an almost palpable texture, emphasizing the weight and age of the structure. The composition draws our eye to the upper section of the church's façade. The twin arches above the windows create a play of symmetry and balance. The arches, acting as framing devices, draw our attention to the voids, inviting contemplation on absence and presence. Du Camp’s choice of the calotype, with its soft focus and tonal range, obscures detail while enhancing the monumentality of the architecture. The photograph becomes not just a record but an interpretation, reflecting the 19th-century fascination with historical sites and the intersection of photography with Romantic ideals. The photograph challenges our understanding of space and time through the medium of light and shadow.