THEGARDENOFGETHSEMANE

THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE WITH THE MOUNT OF OLIVES IN THE BACKGROUND, ca. 1900

The Mount of Olives is to the east of Jerusalem and faces the Temple Mount. It is mentioned in the Old Testament as the scene of David’s flight from the city, Ezekiel’s theophany and Zechariah’s prophecy. In the New Testament it is mentioned as a frequent resort of Jesus and the scene of his Ascension. The principal hill of the Mount is often called “The Ascension.” Bethany and Bethpage lie near its foot, and the garden of Gethsemane is on the western slope.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: AMERICAN COLONY STUDIO, JERUSALEM

Photographs bearing this signature were made by a number of highly talented photographers who belonged to the Colony, which was founded in 1881 by the Protestant Spafford family from Chicago. The photographic department was founded about 1898, or a slightly before, by Frederick Vester and Elijah Meyers to record the impending visit of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Over the years, the several photographers, who signed their work “The American Colony,” produced many thousands of images. In 1922 a branch of the American Colony Stores was opened in New York City, making their monumental collection available in America.