Jerusalem in Early Israeli Statehood Depicted in Yaacov Ben-Dov Photographic Album, circa 1950

Yaacov Ben Dov

Photograph

Ben-Dov, Yaacov. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem (ca. 1950), a photographic album presenting Jerusalem in the immediate aftermath of Israeli statehood through a combination of devotional imagery and national visual culture. Produced by a Bezalel-trained photographer, the work situates sacred geography within the context of the newly established State of Israel, pairing biblical text with contemporary photographic views. The album reflects how Jerusalem was framed for both religious pilgrims and international audiences, integrating scriptural tradition with modern urban and political developments following the 1948–1949 war.

Ben-Dov, Yaacov. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. Jerusalem: ca. 1950. Unpaginated, approximately 32 pages, quarto. Text in Hebrew and English. Illustrated throughout with sepia-toned halftone photographic plates, each paired with a biblical verse printed in Hebrew with English translation. The images include views of the Western (Wailing) Wall, Mount Zion, the Old City walls, and the Temple Mount, alongside urban scenes such as Jaffa Road and Ben Yehuda Street. Additional photographs depict public life, including a military parade with flags in Jerusalem, indicating the presence of state ceremonies within the city’s landscape. The sequence combines religious sites, architectural views, and civic activity, with each image framed as both a visual record and a devotional reference point.

Produced in the early years of Israeli independence, this album demonstrates how photography was used to construct and circulate a unified image of Jerusalem as both a sacred and national center. The pairing of biblical verses with contemporary imagery reinforces continuity between religious tradition and modern state identity, while the bilingual presentation indicates an intended international readership. The work supports research into visual culture, religious tourism, and the role of photography in shaping perceptions of Israel during its formative period. Minor fraying to decorative elements and light toning to the title page; otherwise clean; overall very good condition. A compact photographic work illustrating the intersection of faith, nationalism, and visual representation in early Israeli print culture.

Item #22888

Price: $585.00