Westminster Abbey gezien vanaf Deans Garden in Londen c. 1870 - 1890

Editor: This photograph, "Westminster Abbey gezien vanaf Deans Garden in Londen," by Francis Frith, was likely taken between 1870 and 1890. It’s a very still image, almost like a painting, showing the Abbey framed by the garden. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The photograph’s appeal lies in its record of a specific moment in the development of photographic technology and the evolving social function of these grand structures. The albumen print itself is interesting. The labour needed to prepare the printing paper and the careful developing process tells a story of early photographic techniques and the cultural value placed on reproducibility and documentation during the period. How does that materiality relate to the subject, do you think? Editor: It feels very different from seeing the Abbey in person today – it’s almost like seeing the Abbey as a commodity, or a product. Back then, this photo was probably how many people engaged with the architecture. Curator: Precisely! Photography democratized access, but also participated in creating visual capital. Consider also the labor involved in constructing the Abbey itself. It stands as a potent reminder of medieval craftsmanship but also the vast resources it would have required. Viewing it in this image makes one consider the shifts in material culture over centuries, doesn’t it? How photographic representation and the social structures surrounding the art changed. Editor: Absolutely! Thinking about the layers of labor – building the Abbey, creating the photograph – adds so much depth to this otherwise quiet image. Thank you for your perspective. Curator: It’s fascinating to consider the evolving relationship between artistic creation, the materials that comprise the works, and those who labored to produce them. It really makes you think!