Haram Ash-Sharif - the square where the ancient Temple of Jerusalem was situated 1882

Vasily Polenov painted this view of Haram Ash-Sharif, what was once the Temple of Jerusalem, using oil on canvas. The visible brushstrokes show a relatively quick application, yet the artist has carefully rendered the light and shadow to convey a sense of place. The architectural forms – arches, steps, the great dome – were built by unseen hands. This begs the question, whose labor went into the making of this place? The rough-hewn stone blocks speak to the hard, physical work involved, from quarrying to transport to careful placement. The smooth dome, in contrast, suggests a more refined set of skills, perhaps metalworking or specialized masonry. By focusing on the built environment, Polenov invites us to consider not only the spiritual significance of this site, but also the immense effort required to manifest those beliefs in material form. The painting is a reminder that even the most sacred spaces are, at their foundation, the product of human labor.