Fotoreproductie van twaalf foto's van de kathedraal van Gloucester by Ch. Pumphrey & Co

before 1880

Fotoreproductie van twaalf foto's van de kathedraal van Gloucester

Listen to curator's interpretation

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Curatorial notes

Here is a photomechanical print of twelve photographs of Gloucester Cathedral, made by Ch. Pumphrey & Co. This composite image invites us to consider the cathedral not just as a single, monolithic structure, but as a collection of spaces and architectural details. Consider how the cathedral itself functions as a repository of history and memory, reflecting the religious and social values of its time. Architectural photography in the 19th century was deeply intertwined with notions of progress, cultural preservation, and national identity. Cathedrals, with their imposing scale and intricate designs, were seen as symbols of cultural achievement, yet these images often lack diversity in both the subject and the photographer. The cathedral's architecture embodies its historical role. The images ask us to consider whose stories are told through these spaces, and whose are left out? Perhaps this work invites us to consider the narratives and power structures embedded within our built environment.