Accession Number
1994/2.34.8

Title
Vallée de Naplouse (Sichem) – The valley of Naplouse (Neapolis) (Sichem)

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 this photograph, the city of Nablus nestles into the valley between two prominent hills. The dark shapes of the hills on either side of the image stand almost like sentries guarding the city. The view of Nablus is interrupted by a line of trees that follows the diagonal incline of the terrain in the foreground. This picture follows the format of numerous general views of cities and towns throughout the album, which are usually shown at some distance. Also, though a densely populated area, veritably no signs of human life are visible in the photograph. 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
This photograph shows a city tucked in between two hills beneath a clear sky. The foreground comprises a rocky ledge with a dirt path lined by trees and shrubs. 

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Primary Object Type
landscape

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
cultural landscapes
hills
historic towns
natural landscapes
travel photography
trees
valleys (landforms)