Hémicycle de l'enceinte des Temples, à Baâlbek 1850

Maxime Du Camp's 1850 photograph, "Hémicycle de l'enceinte des Temples, à Baâlbek," captures the grandeur of the ancient Roman ruins of Baalbek in Lebanon. The photograph, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases the impressive scale of the hemicycle, a half-circle wall that once formed part of the temple complex. The detailed image reveals the intricate carvings and the eroded stonework, offering a glimpse into the past and the enduring legacy of Roman architecture. Du Camp, a renowned photographer and writer, documented his travels through the Middle East, bringing these historical sites to a wider audience through his photographic work. This image is an important example of early photography and its role in archaeological documentation.