Portaal aan de noordzijde van de Sint-Jacobskerk in Luik, België before 1887

Editor: So, this is an anonymous print, "Portaal aan de noordzijde van de Sint-Jacobskerk in Luik, België", placing it before 1887. It’s a photograph of the portal and, to me, it seems to capture this imposing, almost severe Renaissance architectural style. What narratives do you see embedded within it? Curator: The very stone whispers of power, doesn't it? Religious architecture has historically been deployed to assert not just spiritual dominance but also very real political and social control. How do you think the scale and intricate detailing were designed to impact those entering? Editor: I imagine it would’ve been incredibly intimidating. The detail almost demands reverence through its sheer artistic labor. Curator: Precisely. Think about the Reformation occurring around this period and how these architectural statements reinforced the Catholic Church's position. Now, considering it's a northern portal, what demographic do you think it primarily served? Editor: Perhaps the working class or those coming from the north end of town? I suppose the experience of approaching the church differed vastly based on which entry you used and thus also on your status? Curator: Exactly. And how might this division affect their lived experience and their sense of belonging, or exclusion, within the broader community? Editor: That’s a whole dimension I hadn’t considered before. The church wasn’t just a place of worship, but a space reflecting existing societal hierarchies. Thank you for sharing your expertise! Curator: My pleasure. Art, especially architecture, offers such rich commentary on how societies structure power and privilege, down to the very entrances we choose to use.