Page 53 - Holyland Magazine - 2009 Edition

Gustav Bauernfeind (1848-1904) - Bedouin in the Judean Desert, with the Dead Sea in the background. Photo: Courtesy of Ariel Publishing.

Touring the Holy Land in the 19th lithographs and even photography Two types of artwork were popular:
(starting from the 1850s) became popular illustrations in travelogues and travel
century was usually done with a Bible in ways to excite the imagination and share guides, usually small, not too detailed
hand, as travelers set out to discover the the experience with a growing number pencil drawings of which not many
locations and landscapes with which they of Westerners, who viewed the images originals are found; and secondly, full
were so familiar from their biblical studies. as the next best thing to being there. artist’s renderings meant for public display
The stories and images they took back and striking lithographs, which were often
home formed an integral part of the Many of the artists tried to show the colored and framed.
experience. And for the folks back home, “romantic” side of the adventure: the
reading travelogues and looking at pictures costumes, customs, architecture and Here are some iconic images of the Holy
was a meaningful and enjoyable pastime. wealth that were so foreign and exotic Land as seen through the eyes of those
to the Western eye. Others concentrated enthusiastic 19th century travelers.
Toward the middle of the 19th century – mainly on sites that were linked to the
with improved travel security, tourism biblical text.
services and access to new areas – paintings,