Beirut Port, print on baryta paper 6x9 cm, circa 1908, Pierre de Vrégille sj Collection. (Credit: ©Bibliothèque Orientale/USJ)
The coincidental timing of the USJ photographic archives exhibit with the show "Gaza’s Rescued Treasures — 5,000 Years of History" highlights a shared urgency concerning endangered heritage. "Both exhibitions underscore the critical role of photography, especially French, in documenting threatened heritage," explained curator Gassia Artin, one of the minds behind "Photographing the Heritage of Lebanon, 1864-1970." Artin emphasized the complementarity of the Jesuit collection from Beirut and the Dominican collection from Jerusalem in illustrating the archaeological and cultural richness of the Mediterranean.
The exhibition features a series of little-known images from the USJ’s Oriental Library archives, showcasing Lebanese landscapes, monuments and daily life scenes. Notable photographs include the bustling 1934 port of Saida and previous eras of now-changed locales like Nahr al-Kalb.
Co-curated by experts Joseph Rustom and Artin, notable in fields of urbanism and archaeological research respectively, the exposition aligns with UNESCO's enhanced protection list for 34 Lebanese sites. With the support of AWI President Jack Lang, the exhibition celebrates 150 years of USJ and the Oriental Library’s contributions to Lebanese heritage preservation.
Selection of these photographs, from over 400,000 items in the archives, emphasizes Jesuit contributions and endangered sites during the recent war, according to Rustom. The Jesuits’ historical involvement in archaeological studies, including Greco-Roman antiquity and early Lebanese prehistory, profoundly impacted regional heritage documentation.
Landmarks in pictures: Antelias cave, Hosn Niha chapel, Beit Shabab bells
The exhibit showcases 77 photographs, 65 in black and white and 12 in color, emphasizing the human element's connection to the geographic heritage. The exhibition also reflects the journey of photography in the Middle East from 1864 to the 1970s, including exhibits of various photographic techniques and equipment, such as a 1922 ICA Ideal 111 camera.
Many images reveal the Jesuits’ unique position in preserving Lebanese heritage, blending scientific research and missionary life. Portraits depict diverse social and religious communities, capturing daily life and cultural essences.
The Oriental Library's archives also provide invaluable insight into Lebanon’s past, despite some portrayals of destruction and urban sprawl. Iconic photographs, like those of the Antelias Cave and historic railroads, evoke nostalgia and loss. Rustom eloquently describes a personal favorite: an early 20th-century glass plate image of Deir al-Qalaa, illustrating the interwoven nature of religious and archaeological narratives.
"Photographing the Heritage of Lebanon, 1864-1970" has captivated AWI visitors, offering personal reflections and new discoveries of Lebanese sites. Accompanied by a documentary segment on the conservation efforts, the exhibition continues to illuminate the fleeting human passage within larger historical contexts.
This article was translated from L'Orient-Le Jour.
