Church Interior c. 1920

Edgar Chahine, born in Vienna to Armenian parents and later moving to Paris, created this etching. He was working during a time of great social upheaval and artistic innovation. This interior view of a church is interesting for its quiet, almost voyeuristic, perspective. The religious space is observed without any people present, which gives us an eerie sense of solitude. Chahine, as an Armenian artist in Europe, was straddling multiple cultural identities. His work often explores themes of displacement and belonging, which can be considered in this piece. Is he looking in or looking out? There is also a sense of class, perhaps. The artist makes no explicit comment, but there is a clear emphasis on ornamentation and wealth. This etching invites us to consider the spaces we inhabit and how they reflect not only our spiritual beliefs, but also our societal values and personal histories.