Ely Cathedral: Late Afternoon Across the Transepts c. 1891

Frederick H. Evans made this platinum print, "Ely Cathedral: Late Afternoon Across the Transepts," sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Evans was part of the Linked Ring, a British photographic society that advocated for photography as a fine art. His images of cathedrals were meant to capture spiritual experiences, rather than simply document architecture. In Britain at this time, the Church of England was a central institution, and cathedrals were powerful symbols of religious and social authority. The Gothic Revival architectural movement saw a return to the aesthetics of medieval churches, and it was intertwined with ideas about national identity. By photographing these awe-inspiring buildings, Evans was participating in a cultural project, using photography to evoke feelings of reverence, and to invite viewers to connect with the past. Understanding this artwork requires research into the cultural significance of cathedrals, and the rise of photography as a medium in its own right. Art history is about understanding the role of images in society.