Beeld van Albrecht von Wertheim in de dom van Bamberg c. 1900 - 1920

This photograph captures a sculpture of Albrecht von Wertheim in the Bamberg Cathedral, crafted by an anonymous artist. The artist chiseled away at the stone, revealing a figure of solemn authority. I imagine the sculptor, day after day, coaxing the stone to life. What were they thinking about as they carved those intricate details, the folds of his robes, the stern expression? Each strike of the chisel must have been a conversation, a dance between intention and the stone's own will. I love how the light catches on the rough textures, highlighting the physicality of the medium. The staff and the book—those props aren't just decorative. They speak of power, knowledge, and a certain kind of unwavering belief. It reminds me that artists, throughout history, have been wrestling with similar themes: faith, power, and the human condition. And in their work, they leave behind clues, gestures, and invitations for us to keep the conversation going.