Gezicht op Bethlehem vanaf de Bron van David c. 1867 - 1895

Maison Bonfils created this albumen print titled "View of Bethlehem from David's Well." Bethlehem, revered as the birthplace of Jesus, held immense religious significance, and its depiction speaks to the growing interest in the Holy Land during the late 19th century. The Maison Bonfils was a photographic studio operating out of Beirut, against a backdrop of European colonialism and growing Western interest in the Middle East. The firm produced thousands of photographs, catering to tourists, scholars, and religious pilgrims eager to capture the essence of biblical lands. This image then, served as a visual commodity, perpetuating Western perceptions of the region. It catered to European orientalist desires and contributed to the construction of a romanticized, and often inaccurate, narrative of the Middle East. Examining photographs like these through the lens of social and cultural history allows us to understand the complex interplay between art, commerce, and cultural exchange. By delving into archival sources, travel literature, and colonial records, we can uncover the ways in which these images shaped perceptions and reinforced power dynamics.