Church of St. Gilles, Caen before 1865

Curator: We are looking at a gelatin silver print of the Church of St. Gilles, Caen, attributed to Joseph Cundall, dating from before 1865. It appears to be part of an open book, if I'm not mistaken. Editor: My initial impression is one of stillness. It’s stark, almost ghostly, with this weathered stone edifice emerging from the frame. Curator: That spectral quality could be linked to the photographic process of the time. Cundall was using techniques still in their relative infancy. The medium really informed how buildings and space were visually consumed. Editor: I see that, the tones created here emphasize that the medieval era, specifically of course the building material of the time, wasn't uniform: the rugged construction creates a kind of cultural symbolism, with sharp angles giving the church this sense of dominance despite being depicted somewhat distantly. It certainly reflects medieval austerity! Curator: Absolutely, these sharp gothic arches direct the eye upward—typical of medieval church architecture symbolizing spiritual aspiration. Consider also the potential symbolism inherent in capturing architecture at this specific point in time. The past represented through both the form and materials is transformed by modernity, this photograph and the chemical means of its making become a symbol of modernity's approach to the historical weight carried in that era and onward. Editor: Good point. Looking closely, I notice the granular texture—evident of the materials used in this particular print and of Cundall's mastery, even given the constraints. Curator: The materials serve the imagery and cultural symbolism and provide texture to the photograph overall: each photograph made with this process may even hold significance simply by existing given its production means. Editor: Agreed. I find myself considering not just the “what” but also the “how” – the laborious process of early photography, the labor behind both the construction of the building and the production of the image that in and of itself can symbolize what endures culturally across different scales. Curator: It provides layers to cultural inheritance itself: We've certainly unearthed several perspectives here on this work of Cundall. Editor: Indeed, a fruitful exploration into both its historical resonance and material construction.