Koorbanken in de Basilique Saint-Epvre te Nancy before 1896

Curator: Here we have an early photographic print, dating from before 1896, titled "Koorbanken in de Basilique Saint-Epvre te Nancy"—Choir Stalls in the Saint-Epvre Basilica in Nancy. It showcases remarkable examples of late Gothic woodworking and church architecture. Editor: What immediately strikes me is the somber mood. The wood appears so dense and the overall composition evokes a sense of piety, maybe even a feeling of constriction. Curator: Absolutely. The craftsmanship speaks to immense labor—each carved detail on those stalls represents hours of meticulous work, probably by multiple artisans over many years. The basilica itself would have involved teams of masons, carpenters, sculptors… all contributing to a monumental display of wealth and devotion. Editor: Yes, the eye is definitely drawn to the upper registers. All those sculpted figures almost feel like a court of judgement presiding over the lower church area where the choir stalls are installed. Can you tell me if any specific saints or Biblical figures are suggested? Curator: While it’s difficult to say definitively from this photograph, it's highly likely they represent figures central to local religious traditions or patron saints connected with the basilica’s founding. We need to remember these weren't merely decorative but functioned as potent symbols. The choir, seated within these elaborate structures, visually embodied the celestial hierarchy for the congregation. Editor: The placement of these figures along the perimeter of what could be viewed as symbolic gateway has a dramatic, even didactic feel, reinforcing the perceived sanctity of those performing religious rites. And considering how dark the wood appears in this photograph, there’s also this real weightiness in all those symbolic and material elements combined, so I’d be curious to examine how its creators wanted these pews to communicate concepts of sacred space. Curator: Fascinating! This makes one really appreciate the scale and organization behind this kind of creation, thinking of the complex dynamics of resource acquisition, labor, and artisanal specialization. Editor: It really is about making connections, as both the materials and symbolic details of art are interwoven. Curator: Well, it makes for quite an unforgettable encounter!