[Jerusalem] - Hans Silvester, silver gelatin print

Jerusalem, 1958 – Silver gelatin print

This photograph, taken by Hans Silvester during his journey to Jerusalem in 1958, belongs to the founding body of work presented in the “Silver Silvester” collection.

The historical significance of this photograph:In 1958, the Old City of Jerusalem, then under Jordanian administration, was a modest yet intensely vibrant place. In the maze of its narrow streets, merchants and craftsmen worked to the rhythm of everyday life, within a peaceful atmosphere where communities of different religions coexisted without ostentation. Hans Silvester spent several months at the heart of this city, allowing himself the time for genuine immersion in the Jerusalem of that era. His attentive gaze captures a world now vanished: a city still preserved from the upheavals to come, where daily life, gestures of labor, and human encounters shaped a fragile memory that has since disappeared.

Produced from the artist’s original black-and-white negatives, the photograph has been printed using traditional silver gelatin processes. The depth of the blacks, the delicacy of the grain, and the balance of contrasts give the print a strong material presence, faithful to the photographer’s original intention. The image reflects Hans Silvester’s attentive and rigorous gaze, shaped by a deeply humanist approach.

Each photograph is issued in a strictly limited edition of five prints. The works are preserved and handled according to professional photographic conservation standards, ensuring their long-term stability.

Photograph presented during the exhibition “Silver Silvester”, Galerie Retour de Voyage, April 2026.

Prints remain available for viewing by appointment after the exhibition:

Contact Frédéric: +33 6 87 32 58 68.