Wells Cathedral c. 1857

Roger Fenton's photograph, "Wells Cathedral," captures an interior view of the cathedral with a quiet yet powerful presence. The scene is composed around a series of architectural elements like columns and arches, creating a structured, almost rhythmic visual experience. Fenton’s manipulation of light and shadow, creates strong contrasts and guides the eye through the space. The windows, acting as light sources, reveal the architectural details while obscuring some areas in shadow, thereby enhancing the cathedral's depth. The photograph can be understood through the lens of formalism as a study in contrasts: light against dark, geometric precision versus textural variation in the stone. Fenton seems to be engaging with the language of architecture itself—its capacity to shape perception and structure experience. The photograph, therefore, not only represents Wells Cathedral, but also presents a discourse on how we perceive space and form.