IXe Station. Jésus tombe pour la troisième fois. Le fut de colonne qui se trouve au pied du mur indique cette station. 1860

This albumen print of the IXe Station, showing the spot where Jesus fell for the third time, was created by Louis de Clercq sometime in the 19th century. De Clercq's image is a direct record of the Via Dolorosa, built using stone blocks in the traditional methods of the region. Look closely and you will see the marks of the stonemasons. The rough texture and massive weight of the stones speak to the intense labor required to construct these structures. The image itself, a product of careful darkroom work, captures a specific play of light and shadow on the wall. The photograph is not merely a depiction, but a material record of cultural and religious significance. It bridges the gap between the physical labor embedded in the architecture and the spiritual weight of the scene. In doing so, it moves beyond traditional artistic categories, combining elements of documentation, craft, and religious devotion.