Toegang naar de sacristie in de Sint-Laurentiuskerk te Neurenberg 1845

Editor: So, this is *Toegang naar de sacristie in de Sint-Laurentiuskerk te Neurenberg*, or Entrance to the sacristy in St. Lorenz Church in Nuremberg, done in 1845 by Louis Haghe. It’s an engraving – ink on paper – and I’m immediately struck by how the artist captured the grand scale and the rather hushed atmosphere inside. It almost feels like a stage setting, doesn't it? What do you see in this print? Curator: It does feel staged, doesn't it? Almost as if Haghe wasn't just documenting a space, but conjuring a particular mood, a kind of… reverent observation. For me, the appeal of the image lies in that precise dance between realism and the slightly romanticised view, a dance very much typical for its time. Notice how light spills in, bathing the scene in a gentle glow? Makes you wonder if he was chasing something beyond just accurate depiction – perhaps a feeling of spiritual transcendence? Editor: I see what you mean. There's also this clear architectural focus. He captures so much of the stonework… Curator: Absolutely! Haghe’s a master of detail. That ornately carved rood screen feels almost alive! I’m fascinated by his capacity to capture the texture of the stone. Doesn’t it seem like he’s less interested in people, and more fascinated with… eternity, perhaps? How do you perceive the figures positioned in the lower area? Editor: They look almost like supporting actors. It really shifts the emphasis to the building itself as the main subject, I hadn't thought of that. It makes it all feel incredibly vast and awe-inspiring. It also offers a glimpse into a moment in time. I also appreciate seeing those architectural details so clearly. It is beautiful to think about the texture in this kind of print form. Curator: Precisely. It is about preserving a space and also a feeling! We are getting lost within Louis Haghe’s perception.