Interieur van de Notre-Dame de Saint-Sigisbert te Nancy before 1896

This black and white print presents the interior of the Notre-Dame de Saint-Sigisbert in Nancy, through the lens of an anonymous artist. Churches like Notre-Dame were central to community identity, serving not just as places of worship but also as social hubs. As you gaze upon the photograph, consider how the church building reflected the social hierarchy of the time. The grandeur of the architecture was a bold statement of power by the church and its patrons. The pews, lined in orderly rows, speak to the expected behavior and social roles within the church community. Although this print is anonymous, it still invites us to reflect on the role of the church in shaping the experiences and identities of its parishioners. It asks us to think about who was welcome, who was excluded, and whose stories were told within those imposing walls.