Jérusalem, Vallée de Josaphat, Faces Ouest et Nord, 1 1854 - 1859

Editor: This albumen print, taken by Auguste Salzmann between 1854 and 1859, captures Jerusalem, specifically the Valley of Josaphat. It feels incredibly still, almost timeless. There's something about the starkness of the landscape, and the weathered architecture, that gives it a sense of enduring history. What leaps out at you when you look at this? Curator: That stillness you mention resonates deeply. It’s as if Salzmann has captured not just a place, but a breath held for centuries. The image is so precise, so detailed, it invites contemplation on time and permanence. It is very architectural. Look at the strong directional lines and that singular ancient form emerging from the hillside! Are there also spiritual references or undercurrents here for you? Editor: I suppose the very name, Jerusalem, carries an inherent weight of religious and historical significance. Is Salzmann playing with that, do you think, or is it more of a documentary piece? Curator: That's the lovely tension, isn't it? He was commissioned to document, but his artistic eye couldn't help but infuse the images with something more. There’s an undeniable romanticism at play. Look how the light gently models the stone; almost as if he sought to find beauty even in a ruined or historically-laden space. I am fascinated by what remains. What has eroded. How it is at once there, but fleeting. Does that contrast engage you? Editor: Absolutely! I guess I hadn’t considered the artistry behind what I saw as simply documentation. Seeing it as a pursuit of beauty within a historical context adds a whole new layer. Curator: Indeed! Perhaps next time you pass a seemingly ordinary, almost invisible wall, you might consider its own enduring beauty in time? You might allow yourself to see it artistically. Editor: Definitely. This has completely changed my perspective. Thanks!