Rivaulx Abbey. Interior of the Choir 1850s

"Rivaulx Abbey. Interior of the Choir" is a 19th-century photograph by Joseph Cundall, capturing the grandeur of the ruined abbey. This calotype print, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases the intricate details of the abbey's architecture, including the soaring arches and intricate stonework. Cundall's expert use of light and shadow further enhances the dramatic effect of the scene, showcasing the passage of time and the enduring beauty of the abbey's remains. The photograph's composition, framed by the arches and leading the viewer's eye towards the distant landscape, highlights the abbey's serene and monumental presence.