Gezicht op de noordoostelijke hoek van de Tempelberg in Jeruzalem before 1865

This photograph of the northeastern corner of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem was taken by James McDonald during a period of intense Western interest in the Holy Land. McDonald's image captures the imposing stonework of a site revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The photograph offers a glimpse into the fraught intersection of religion, politics, and identity that has long defined Jerusalem. While McDonald's lens might have sought to document the site with objectivity, it is impossible to ignore the history of colonialism and cultural appropriation inherent in such endeavors. The act of photographing such a site transforms it into a spectacle. This image invites us to consider the complex layers of meaning embedded in the stones themselves. It prompts us to reflect on the power dynamics that shape our understanding of sacred spaces and how photography contributes to the ongoing narrative.