Gezicht op de kathedraal van Newcastle 1837

John Jackson made this print of Newcastle Cathedral in the early 19th century. The image places the architecture of the church within the busy setting of Newcastle. As a historian of art, I am interested in the cathedral as a social space. Newcastle was booming during the Industrial Revolution; what role did religion play in the lives of those living and working in such a rapidly changing city? Jackson's print shows us ordinary people going about their lives. We see a family, workers, and a horse-drawn cart. The towering cathedral looms over them, its presence a constant reminder of spiritual authority. Looking at church records, newspapers, and other documents from the period helps us understand the complex relationship between religion and society in Newcastle. This print serves as a visual entry point into that rich and fascinating history.