Church of St. Pierre, west front, Caen before 1865

Joseph Cundall made this photograph of the west front of the Church of St. Pierre in Caen, using a photographic process that captures a range of subtle gradations in tone. Notice how the composition emphasizes the church's facade. The photograph presents a complex interplay of vertical and horizontal lines, forming a grid-like structure. This framework supports the intricate details of the Gothic architecture, where pointed arches and elaborate tracery define the rose window. The balance between light and shadow creates a sense of depth, drawing the eye into the architectural details and highlighting their texture. Cundall's choice to capture the church from this perspective engages with the Romantic and early Modernist interests in structure, form, and the sublime. The image suggests a tension between the rational order of architecture and the emotional impact of its visual complexity. It destabilizes the viewer's expectations of the building by engaging with new ways of thinking about space and representation. The photograph is not just a documentary record but a cultural object that invites ongoing interpretation.