Exterieur van het kartuizerklooster van Miraflores bij Burgos c. 1850 - 1863

This photograph captures the exterior of the Carthusian Monastery of Miraflores near Burgos, created by Charles Clifford in the mid-19th century. The pale tones and stark shadows articulate a composition dominated by the monastery's imposing structure. Clifford's framing emphasizes a play between horizontal and vertical lines. The strong horizontal base of the building and the ground contrasts with the soaring verticality of the spires and windows. The texture of the stone, rendered in meticulous detail, adds another layer of visual complexity. Through the lens of structuralism, the monastery becomes a sign, imbued with layers of meaning through its architectural form. The stark, almost clinical rendering strips the monastery of its potential romanticism, presenting it instead as a study in form and texture. Clifford, through his rigorous composition, invites us to consider not just what we see, but how we see, and what cultural codes inform our perception. The photograph challenges the viewer to engage in a dialogue about representation and meaning in the industrial age.