Straat en kathedraal Saint-Vincent in Saint-Malo 1880 - 1914

Carl Frederick Musans Norman created this photograph of the Straat en kathedraal Saint-Vincent in Saint-Malo using a photographic process. It shows us a street scene in France, likely in the late 19th century. The towering cathedral looms over the narrow street, a clear visual statement about the power and influence of the church in French society during this period. Note how the composition, with the street acting as a converging set of lines, directs our eye upwards, emphasizing the cathedral's dominance. The photograph's social context is also worth considering. The late 19th century was a time of great social and political change in France, with growing secularism challenging the church's authority. This image could be interpreted as a commentary on this shifting power dynamic. To fully understand this artwork, we can explore the history of Saint-Malo, the role of the Catholic Church in French society, and the development of photography as a medium for social documentation.