Rivaulx Abbey. Interior of the Choir 1850s

This sepia photograph, titled "Rivaulx Abbey. Interior of the Choir," was captured by Joseph Cundall, a British photographer, likely in the mid-19th century. It presents a romantic view of the ruined abbey, framing the natural landscape beyond. The image speaks to the Victorian era's fascination with ruins and the picturesque. The dissolution of monasteries under Henry VIII led to the decay of many religious sites and by the 1800s they had become potent symbols of lost history. Cundall’s photograph participates in this romanticization, presenting the abbey as a site of aesthetic contemplation. This image would have been circulating within a market keenly interested in historical narratives and the emotional resonance of decay. The photograph raises questions about the role of art in shaping our understanding of the past. By exploring archival materials, photographic journals, and social histories of tourism, we can better understand the cultural forces that shaped both the creation and reception of this evocative image.