Westminster Hall before 1869

This is a photograph of Westminster Hall by John Harrington. The photograph's composition, dominated by a play of light and shadow, guides our eye through the architectural skeleton. The rhythmic repetition of arches receding into the distance creates a powerful illusion of depth. This is emphasized by the way the light diminishes, focusing our attention on the vanishing point. Harrington's work challenges fixed meanings by destabilizing our perception of space. The photograph manipulates perspective to create an almost dreamlike vista. The photograph invites us to consider not just the physical structure of Westminster Hall, but also its symbolic weight as a locus of power and history. The photograph's formal qualities, its use of line, perspective, and light, function not just aesthetically, but as part of a broader meditation on space, power, and representation. It reminds us that art is not simply a reflection of reality, but an active participant in shaping our understanding of it.