Vue générale de Bethléem, du puits de David—General view of Bethlehem from David's well

Accession Number
1994/2.32.3

Title
Vue générale de Bethléem, du puits de David—General view of Bethlehem from David's well

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 right background of the photograph, a large grouping of flat-roofed, white stone buildings signals the city of Bethlehem. A large walled compound, with domed buildings and towers, anchors the left-hand side of the image and balances out the composition. A number of short trees planted amid dry and rocky soil populate the left foreground. The dark leaves and cast shadows of these trees also provide a visual counterweight to the mostly light-toned buildings on the right-hand side of the picture. 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
General view of a large town in the distance along a gently curving horizon line; a group of trees stand in the foreground.

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
cityscapes (representations)
cultural landscapes
natural landscapes
travel photography
trees

& Author Notes

Web Use Permitted