Accession Number
1994/2.29.1

Title
Caïffa, vue prise de la mer – A view of Kaiffa, from the sea

Artist(s)
Felix Bonfils

Artist Nationality
French (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1867-1885

Medium & Support
albumen print on paper

Dimensions
10 15/16 in x 14 in (27.78 cm x 35.56 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Margaret and Howard Bond

Subject matter
The town of Kaiffa (Haifa) is shown here as a horizontal band of pale-toned buildings that stretches across the entire length of the photograph, tapering off near the picture’s right-hand edge. On the left-hand side, hills rise gradually behind the town. The lower register of the image is composed of varied tones, which convey the shadowy reflections and languid ripples of the Mediterranean Sea. Blank sky fills the upper register. This image is one of hundreds of photographs made throughout Bonfils's career which purport to document various landscapes, cityscapes, and people of the eastern Mediterranean.

Physical Description
This photograph depicts a low-lying seaside town with hills rising gradually behind it. The town appears in the distance across a relatively placid body of water. Blank sky fills the upper register. 

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Christianity
Holy Land
Jesus Christ
albums
candlestick
cityscapes (representations)
crosses
hills
photographs
seas
table
travel photography
urban landscapes