Ely Cathedral: Octagon from South Transept Chairs & Benches Removed 1899

Frederick H. Evans made this platinum print of Ely Cathedral sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Notice how Evans has cleared the chairs and benches to focus on the cathedral's architecture. Ely Cathedral, like many English cathedrals, has a long and complex history. It began as a monastery in the 7th century, was rebuilt as a Norman church after 1066, and features the famous Octagon built in the 14th century after the collapse of the original tower. Photographers like Evans, in the late 19th century, were fascinated by these grand structures, seeing them as symbols of national identity and cultural heritage. The Gothic Revival movement had also rekindled interest in medieval architecture. Evans's choice to remove modern furnishings emphasizes the timelessness and grandeur of the cathedral, aligning with the romantic ideals of the period. To fully understand this image, one might research the history of Ely Cathedral, the Gothic Revival movement, and the development of photography as an art form. By exploring these avenues, we can appreciate the photograph not just as a visual document, but as a product of specific social and cultural forces.