Westzijde van de kathedraal van Florence before 1886

This striking photograph captures the west side of the cathedral in Florence. Although the photographer is anonymous, the image speaks volumes about materials, making, and labor. The cathedral itself, of course, is the product of stone and skilled craftsmanship, built over centuries. Think of the quarrying, carving, and placement of each stone, brick, and decorative flourish. The image doesn't just show us architecture; it reveals the cumulative work of countless hands. This was a pre-industrial society, and the construction of a cathedral was as much a social endeavor as a spiritual one. The photograph, too, is a product of human skill. The photographer carefully chooses their viewpoint, exposing the plate just right to capture the play of light and shadow on the cathedral’s facade. The final image, though a reproduction, invites us to reflect on the immense effort involved in creating and documenting such a monumental structure.