Jérusalem, Birket-Hammam-el-Batrak 1854 - 1859

Auguste Salzmann made this photograph of Jerusalem using the salted paper process, an early photographic technique notable for its soft, textured aesthetic. The materiality of salted paper prints lends this image a unique depth. Salts are dissolved and brushed onto paper, which is then dried, sensitized with silver nitrate, exposed to light, and finally developed. This process gives the photograph its characteristic tonal range and slightly grainy texture, making the ancient stone buildings of Jerusalem appear almost tactile. The salted paper print was a labor-intensive process, demanding precise handling of chemicals and an understanding of light-sensitive materials. Compared to today's instant digital images, works like this underscore the amount of labor involved in early photography, and the intellectual work required to turn base materials into evocative images. Salzmann’s choice of this specific technique highlights the contrast between the ancient city he captured and the modern technology he employed, inviting us to consider the historical and cultural context of both the subject and the medium.