View of the Choir of the Cathedral of Mainz, plate four from Allemande c. 1848

Nicolas Chapuy made this lithograph titled 'View of the Choir of the Cathedral of Mainz' as plate four from Allemande. The architecture of the cathedral looms large, dwarfing the figures in the foreground and creating a sense of awe and reverence. But, this grandeur also evokes the power and authority of the church, an institution that has historically shaped social norms, political power, and, of course, religious identities. Take a moment to consider the expressions of the figures depicted. What are their roles and relationships? The artist's choices about who to depict, and how, reflect the values of his time. The church wasn’t always a place of welcome for all, and issues of gender and class often dictated access and influence. Chapuy’s print invites us to reflect on how physical spaces and their representations can reflect the complex interplay of power, identity, and belief.