Gezicht op Battle Abbey before 1875

This photographic print of Battle Abbey was made by Wm. E. Thorpe, using a process that had become widespread by the late 19th century. Consider for a moment the materiality of this image, the way that light-sensitive chemicals have been carefully manipulated on paper to capture this architectural view. Photography democratized image-making, offering a seemingly objective window onto the world. Yet, the photographer’s framing and choice of subject reveal a specific cultural perspective. Battle Abbey itself speaks to power and labor. Founded on the site of the Battle of Hastings, it commemorates a pivotal moment in English history. The careful arrangement of the gardens contrasts with the weathered stones of the Abbey, hinting at the cycles of construction, destruction, and renewal that define our relationship with the past. This image reminds us that even seemingly straightforward depictions are imbued with layers of social and historical significance. It invites us to consider the human effort behind both the making of the Abbey and its representation through photography.