Kloostergang in de Abdij van Maulbronn c. 1895 - 1900

This photograph captures the Kloostergang in the Abbey of Maulbronn. Though we don't know who took it, the print was published by Heinrich Lautz, Kunstverlag, in Darmstadt. The photograph, rendered in shades of gray, emphasizes the architectural elements of the abbey, which appears to be made of stone, including vaulted ceilings, columns, and arched windows. You can imagine the builders carefully selecting and cutting the stone blocks, a labor-intensive process. They would have used chisels, hammers, and other hand tools to shape each stone, before assembling them according to structural design principles. The rough texture and visible joints of the stonework contrast with the smooth surfaces of the windows, which suggests a different set of skills and tools. This image allows us to think about the complex division of labor involved in the Abbey's construction, and how each trade contributed to the overall design. By recognizing these different forms of making, we can appreciate the full meaning of this impressive historical structure.