Berg van de verzoeking van Christus, Jabal al-Quruntul nabij Jericho 1867 - 1885

This photograph captures the 'Berg van de verzoeking van Christus, Jabal al-Quruntul nabij Jericho' by Félix Bonfils. The composition is dominated by a stark contrast between the towering mountain on the left, casting a long shadow, and the flat, expansive foreground where a lone figure on horseback stands. The photograph's muted tones and sharp lines emphasize the geological textures of the mountain, creating a sense of scale and isolation. Bonfils uses the figure as a focal point, inviting us to reflect on humanity's relationship to the landscape. The mountain, Jabal al-Quruntul, is traditionally known as the Mount of Temptation in Christian tradition. Bonfils's photograph challenges the established meanings of landscape photography by inserting a narrative element. The stark, unromanticized depiction of the mountain destabilizes traditional notions of the Holy Land. The interplay between the detailed rendering of the landscape and the symbolic weight of the site creates a space for ongoing interpretation.