Interieur van een gotisch klooster 1805 - 1878

This is Simon Quaglio's, "Interior of a Gothic Monastery," created sometime in the 19th century. During this time, architectural depictions were more than just recordings of buildings; they captured the spirit of the place, and of the people who inhabited it. Quaglio, born into a family of artists, specialized in architectural painting, and theater design. Here, the soaring arches and the filtered light create a spiritual atmosphere, yet the presence of nuns suggests a community defined by both devotion and discipline. Look closely. The nuns are quietly moving through their daily rituals in this graphic work. This print invites us to consider the lives of these women, their collective identity, and their individual experiences within the walls of the cloister. It prompts us to reflect on the roles available to women in the 19th century, and how they found agency within these prescribed spaces. It's a poignant meditation on faith, community, and the spaces that shape our identities.