York Cathedral: South-East View c. 19th century

Editor: This is John Coney's etching, "York Cathedral: South-East View." I'm struck by how grand and imposing it looks. What can you tell me about the role of such images in their time? Curator: These architectural prints, popular in Coney's era, weren't just about documentation. They actively shaped perceptions, promoting specific visions of national identity and religious power. Think about who commissioned and consumed these images. Editor: So, it's not just a picture of a cathedral? Curator: Exactly. It's about projecting authority and permanence. How might the choice of viewpoint, the level of detail, contribute to this message? Editor: I see. It makes me wonder, who exactly was this image for? Thanks for illuminating that!