Court of the bishops palace, Liege before 1866

Cundall and Fleming made this photograph of the Court of the Bishops' Palace in Liège, Belgium. This image presents a cloistered arcade, likely taken in the mid-19th century, during a period of renewed interest in medieval architecture. The cloister, traditionally a space for religious contemplation, is here presented as a subject of architectural and historical interest. The photograph’s formal qualities – the play of light and shadow, the receding perspective – emphasize the aesthetic value of the structure and the history of the Palace. Belgium in the 19th century was a nexus of industrial development and historical revivalism. Photography like this was part of a broader cultural project to document and celebrate the nation’s heritage and connect to social history. To fully understand such a photograph, we delve into architectural history, religious studies, and the history of photography itself. These interdisciplinary resources help reveal the complex social and institutional contexts in which art is created and interpreted.