[Tomb of the Virgin, Jerusalem]

Art Historical Context

Captured in the 1860s by photographer Anthony, *Tomb of the Virgin Jerusalem* is a striking albumen silver print from glass negative, measuring 13.9 x 17.2 cm. This intimate yet detailed image depicts the revered Tomb of the Virgin Mary, a hallowed Christian site nestled in Jerusalem's Kidron Valley. The photograph highlights the site's iconic arches and tomb architecture, evoking theity of this ancient pilgrimage destination believed to house the empty tomb of Mary, mother of Jesus. Albumen prints, introduced in the 1840s, revolutionized photography with their sharp clarity and warm sepia tones, derived from egg whites coating paper sensitized with silver salts. Anthony's use of a glass negative allowed for exquisite fine detail, capturing the textured stone and intricate arches that define Byzantine and Crusader-era influences. Produced during a surge in Western travel photography, this work served as a window for 19th-century audiences to remote holy lands, blending documentary precision with artistic composition. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of Photographs (gift of A. Hyatt Mayor, 1961), it exemplifies early photographic exploration of sacred spaces, preserving Jerusalem's spiritual heritage for generations of visitors. (198 words)