Ely Cathedral: Octagon into Choir c. 1891

Frederick H. Evans made this platinum print, titled *Ely Cathedral: Octagon into Choir*, at the turn of the twentieth century. Evans's image captures the Gothic architecture of Ely Cathedral in England, built over several centuries, beginning in the eleventh century. The architecture speaks to the historical and social contexts of its time. Medieval cathedrals were not simply places of worship but also expressions of civic pride, funded by local elites and designed to inspire awe. Notice how the photograph emphasizes the soaring vertical lines and intricate details of the cathedral’s interior. For nineteenth-century viewers like Evans, the Gothic style represented a connection to a rich and spiritual past, a refuge from the rapidly changing industrial world. Historians of architecture often consult original building plans, financial records, and religious documents to fully understand buildings like this. Such historical resources help us interpret the meaning of art as something deeply rooted in social and institutional history.