Exterieur van het koor van de Dom van Regensburg in aanbouw, Duitsland 1855 - 1872

This photograph shows the exterior of Regensburg Cathedral in Germany, captured by Joh. Laifle, while it was still under construction. Cathedrals like this were not just places of worship, but also symbols of civic pride, and their construction often spanned generations, deeply entwined with the social and economic life of a city. The image presents a fascinating juxtaposition: the almost celestial aspirations of Gothic architecture rising amidst the very earthly realities of its making. Notice the scaffolding, the piles of stone, and the modest structures at the base of the frame. These details speak volumes about the labor and resources required for such a monumental undertaking. Photographs like this offer historians invaluable insights into the evolving relationship between art, labor, and institutional power. By exploring municipal archives, construction records, and other historical documents, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the social conditions that shaped not only the cathedral, but also the community around it.