Francis Bedford (1815-1894)

Jerusalem, From Mount of Olives

Jerusalem, Israel/ Palestine, March-April 1862
Albumen print, 227 x 291 mm

Before photographs like these appeared, the only images of holy sites that the Victorian public would have known were idealized and colourful paintings of biblical scenes. Bedford’s photographs, in contrast, were documentary evidence of these locations. In this view of Jerusalem, Bedford includes many key landmarks in one image. His technique and skill enabled him to capture great detail, resulting in an astoundingly clear photograph of the different holy sites. This particular vista was popular with artists. Victorians could have compared this photograph to previous painted images of the view, such as Edward Lear’s Jerusalem Looking North West (1859).

Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2020