Reliekhouder before 1890

This is a photogravure print of Emile Aubry's Reliekhouder. The dominant visual experience is one of intricate verticality. Aubry captures the detailed architecture and the fine sculpture of the reliquary through the monochrome tones of the print. The geometric shapes are arranged in a complex, layered composition, conveying a sense of sacredness and monumentality. The reliquary's structure, with its repetitive vertical elements, suggests an attempt to visually represent hierarchical and spiritual ascension. These Gothic revival forms, rendered through the precise lines of the photogravure, reference a rich cultural history, but Aubry uses this language to explore the semiotics of religious representation. The interplay between light and shadow, the careful staging of the object—all challenge fixed meanings, engaging with new ways of thinking about perception. The photogravure's texture and tonal range serve not just an aesthetic purpose, but also function as part of a larger cultural and philosophical discourse. The structure invites ongoing interpretation, reflecting the shifting perspectives of both the artist and the viewer.