Interieur van King's College Chapel in Cambridge 1855 - 1856

Louis Jules Arnout created this print of the interior of King's College Chapel in Cambridge sometime in the mid-19th century. It's an engraving, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. Look closely, and you’ll notice the remarkable intricacy of the architectural details. The ribbed vaulting of the ceiling, the tall, slender windows, and the ornate carvings are all rendered with incredible precision. This reflects the skill of both the original medieval stonemasons, and also Arnout's ability to translate that craftsmanship into a printed image. The engraving process itself is labor-intensive, demanding meticulous handwork. Each line had to be carefully cut into the metal plate, a task requiring immense patience and expertise. Consider the relationship between the artisanal labor that created the chapel and the skilled handwork involved in its reproduction. In both cases, we see a deep investment in craft, blurring the lines between architecture, art, and the world of production.