Portaal van de Sint-Jacobskerk, Luik 1862 - 1894

Joseph Kirsch captured the Portal of St. James' Church in Liège in a photograph. The print, primarily monochromatic, focuses on the architectural facade. Notice how the structure of the portal dominates the composition with its symmetrical and vertical thrust. The church's facade is meticulously framed, emphasizing the play of light and shadow on the stone. This interplay creates a textural richness, and the lines of the architecture offer a geometric structure. Consider how Kirsch uses perspective to create depth within a limited space, drawing the eye upwards to the detailed ornamentation at the top of the portal. While the photograph serves as documentation, it also engages with the philosophical discourse around representation. The photograph captures not just the portal's appearance but its essence, transforming a three-dimensional structure into a two-dimensional image. It challenges our understanding of space and form.