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Nabi Musa (Photograph Album Belonging to James McBey)
Nabi Musa (Photograph Album Belonging to James McBey)
Nabi Musa (Photograph Album Belonging to James McBey)

Nabi Musa (Photograph Album Belonging to James McBey)

Owner (Newburgh, Scotland, 1883 - 1959)
Datec. 1917
Object NamePhotograph
Mediumphotograph
ClassificationsMcBey
Dimensions7.8 x 13.7cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1983 by Mrs Marguerite McBey.
Copyright© Aberdeen City Council (McBey Collection)
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG000686.194
About MeBlack and white photograph depicting a scene during Nabi Musa, a seven day long religious festival that was celebrated annually by Palestinian Muslims. It began on the Friday before Good Friday in the old Orthodox Greek calendar, and centered around a collective pilgrimage from Jerusalem to what was understood to be the Tomb of Moses, near Jericho.

This photograph was taken during McBey's time as Official War Artist in Egypt from 26 May 1917, and is kept within a hardback photograph album, with faux leather overlay, along with a series of other related images.

This object is part of an archive that belonged to Marguerite McBey. As a result of her generosity, Aberdeen Art Gallery holds the largest archive of James McBey's work, including prints, drawings, sketchbooks, oil paintings and memorabilia such as this photograph.