Gezicht op de abdij van Göttweig 1890 - 1910

Franz von Prandtstetter made this photograph of Göttweig Abbey in Austria, using a technique that would have been relatively novel at the time. The Benedictine abbey sits high on a hill, its imposing architecture a demonstration of earthly and spiritual power. Consider the role of religious institutions at the time. This would have been a period of great change, with industrialization disrupting traditional hierarchies. Perhaps the photograph is intended to reinforce the importance of the old ways and to encourage reverence in the face of modernization. The location is key, with the prominence of the building and the surrounding landscape inspiring awe. To understand the photograph better, we might research the history of the abbey and the role it played in Austrian society. We could also look at other photographs of the time to see how Prandtstetter’s work compares.