Exterieur van de St. Egidienkerk in Neurenberg, Duitsland 1863 - 1868

Editor: Here we have Johann Friedrich Stiehm's "Exterior of the St. Egidien Church in Nuremberg, Germany," taken sometime between 1863 and 1868. It's a photograph, though presented almost as a print, which feels a little odd. I’m curious, what strikes you about this particular depiction of the church? Curator: It’s intriguing how the image foregrounds the physical construction. Look at the marks left by the stonemasons. This wasn't just about capturing the aesthetic grandeur, but documenting the labour involved, the sheer amount of material used. Consider also the development process of photography at that time. How was this printed and disseminated? Editor: That's an interesting point! So you’re seeing beyond the architecture and considering the conditions that produced the image? How might Stiehm’s labor and that of his assistants be implicated in the imagery and composition of the picture? Curator: Precisely! Think about the socio-economic factors. Who commissioned this? What was its purpose? Was it for architectural record, civic pride, or something else entirely? The material tells us something about the relationship between those depicted in the picture and its creator and consumers. Editor: That makes me consider its function as a commodity. Were these images widely circulated? Was there a market for architectural photography? How affordable was it for the average citizen? Curator: Exactly! Photography in the 19th century moved beyond mere aesthetic value; the means of production and access played a crucial role. Editor: It definitely makes me reconsider my initial assumptions. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. It's important to remember art is also a result of its production!