Fragments Juda ï que et Romain

An amateur archaeologist, Auguste Salzmann executed the first scientific survey of the ancient monuments of Jerusalem, in order to prove that their origins date to Herod's Kingdom, and perhaps as far back as King Solomon - and not, as was claimed by some armchair archaeologists, to Byzantine times. Besides their scientific importance, Salzmann's photographs of Jerusalem are aesthetically striking. Rarely at this early stage of photography do we see images with such visual and emotional impact. His photographs reach far beyond the subject in front of the lens, reflecting the essence of Jerusalem's sanctity. Through them we can sense Salzmann's relation to the old stones and ancient monuments, and his deep veneration for what they represent in the history of humankind. One is tempted to say that his approach was mystical and that his photographic statements are spiritual as well as visual. To understand Salzmann's photographs one has to have experienced the harsh light of Jerusalem: in a crystal-clear atmosphere it creates blindingly bright highlights of the limestone buildings and their dark, mysterious shadows. Within the limitations of the calotype, Salzmann produced stunning visual statements, displaying a deep understanding of both the medium and the subject: instead of concentrating on detail, he captured the play of light and dark. In their well-balanced compositions and delicate beauty, Salzmann's photographs of architectural details and "still lifes" of archaeological artifacts are extraordinary. His background in painting is revealed in such outstanding photographs as Fragments Judaique et Romain, which has an almost surrealist quality and seems to be visually and conceptually a century ahead of his time.