Accession Number
1994/2.31.1

Title
Le Jourdain – The Jordan

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
In the photograph’s lower-right quadrant, over a dozen men make camp along the bank of the Jordan River. One can distinguish two European men from their indigenous companions by their clothing and poses: not only do these men wear trousers and pith helmets, but also they are the only two figures seated in chairs. With the exception of these two, the other surrounding figures mostly face the camera, while one man and a camel pose somewhat stiffly in profile just left of center. The picture seems to fluctuate among the formats of landscape, group portrait, and ethnographic portrait. This image is one of hundreds of photographs made throughout Bonfils' career which purport to document various landscapes, cityscapes, and people of the eastern Mediterranean.

Physical Description
In this photograph, a group of men sit or stand near two tents along the bank of a wide river. The hills and trees on the opposite bank form the horizon line.

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
Camelus dromedarius (species)
Cityscapes
Holy Land
Jaffa
Jericho
Jordan River
Lydda
Ramla
Workers
albums
beaches
camps (temporary settlements)
channels
expeditions (journeys)
harbors
men (male humans)
photographs
rivers
travel photography
trees