Maria Laach Abbey, Germany 1093

Editor: This photograph showcases Maria Laach Abbey in Germany, a Romanesque architectural marvel dating back to 1093. I’m struck by the solidity of it – those weighty stone arches and the almost fortress-like towers. It feels like it’s been there forever. What's your take on this image? Curator: It’s as if the very stones are whispering stories, isn’t it? What captures me is how grounded it feels; the low horizon line really emphasizes its imposing height, a physical manifestation of the church's power during that medieval period. But look closer - there is an undeniable sense of aspiration in the towers, almost yearning for the heavens, wouldn't you agree? Editor: I do! And those rounded arches everywhere... were those typical of the time? Curator: Absolutely! Those rounded arches are classic Romanesque. It was all about creating these massive, awe-inspiring spaces, filled with a kind of divine weightiness, though later architecture showed preference for a certain verticality. Editor: It's so different from Gothic architecture which I have seen a lot of. What does the surrounding landscape suggest to you? Curator: The green space tempers that heaviness, I feel, giving the scene life and a natural beauty. Maybe a visual nod that even something grand and permanent exists harmoniously in a wider landscape... Does the image tell a particular story for you? Editor: I'd say it reminds me of humanity's ability to create things that both dominate the natural world but can co-exist with it, a paradox I keep pondering when seeing works of architectural art. Curator: I love that! Next time I see Romanesque, I'll think about this intriguing paradox. I hadn't thought of it quite like that before.