Zeven gezichten op de weg van Jeruzalem naar de Dode Zee, Israël before 1898

“Seven Views on the Road from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, Israel” assembles various photographs, capturing different perspectives along the route. These images, created during a time of intense colonial interest in the region, speak volumes about how the land was viewed and documented by outsiders. The photographs don't just show landscapes; they frame the narrative of a journey, deeply influenced by cultural and political contexts. What stories do these landscapes tell us about power, identity, and the gaze of the colonizer? The composition itself, a collage of different views, invites us to consider the fragmented nature of perception. It reflects a desire to capture the essence of a place through multiple lenses, yet it also raises questions about whose perspectives are included and how they shape our understanding. Consider how these images might have been used to construct and reinforce ideas about the "Orient," and how they may have impacted the identities and experiences of those living in the region.