Beit-Lehem, Mosaïque de l'Église I 1854 - 1859

This photogravure by Auguste Salzmann captures the mosaics within the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The composition is divided into two distinct registers, each presenting a flattened perspective that pushes the imagery to the surface. In the upper section, the linear architecture and stylized figures create a complex pattern. The mosaic work itself, originally composed of small, individual pieces, results in a visual texture that emphasizes the constructed nature of the image. Note how the horizontal lines, intersected by vertical columns, impose a structural order. The semiotic reading reveals that the mosaic, filled with religious iconography, signifies a world of faith and divine narrative. In the lower section, a similar flattening occurs, suggesting an interest in the surface design over traditional depth. Salzmann’s photogravure translates the mosaic’s inherent structure into a study of light and shadow, line and form. The way the architectural elements and figures are presented challenges conventional notions of space.