Interieur van de Geboortekerk in Bethlehem 1867 - 1885

Félix Bonfils captured this photograph of the interior of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem sometime before his death in 1885. Here, the altar becomes a powerful symbol of devotion. The altar's ornate decorations remind me of similar embellishments in Byzantine art. Across cultures and eras, the altar has been a site for sacrifice, and the location of sacred rituals. The coverings and decorations are reminiscent of swaddling clothes and offer a sense of protection and reverence for the holy site it covers. The presence of clergymen at either side of the altar enhances this feeling of protection, resembling guardian figures. Such protective gestures reflect humanity’s enduring need to safeguard what it holds most sacred. The photograph captures not just a place, but also a feeling—a collective memory of hope, rebirth, and divine presence. These motifs, deeply embedded in the human psyche, continue to resonate, reminding us of the cyclical nature of history and belief.