Church of St. Anne, Jerusalem 1854

Editor: Here we have Auguste Salzmann's photograph of the Church of St. Anne, Jerusalem. The stark stone really strikes me. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The method of production is key here. Saltzmann's use of the calotype process, a paper-based negative, speaks to the accessibility of image-making. Note the texture, the visible fibers; it democratizes the image, moving it away from the preciousness associated with older forms. Editor: So, the process itself is as important as the subject? Curator: Precisely. Consider the labor involved, the materials sourced, the distribution of these images. It reframes our understanding of art historical creation. Editor: That's a different way to look at photography; I see the church differently now. Curator: Indeed, and thinking about what is being consumed helps us better contextualize the image.