Interieur van de Notre-Dame van Parijs 1880 - 1900

This print shows the interior of Notre-Dame de Paris and was made by C. Angerer & Göschl. The print captures the grandeur of the cathedral, emphasizing its towering columns, intricate arches, and rows of seating. Consider the historical and cultural weight of Notre-Dame. It has been a site of both religious devotion and national significance in France for centuries. The image evokes not only architectural beauty but also raises questions about the role of religious institutions in shaping societal values and power structures. Whose stories are enshrined within these walls, and whose are left out? How does the architecture itself reinforce hierarchies of class, gender, and race? There is something to be said about how the empty chairs evoke the absence of the community. What stories do these empty seats hold? This image is an invitation to reflect on the intersection of history, identity, and power within sacred spaces.