Fotoreproductie van een gezicht op de Abdij van Maria Laach before 1868

This is a photomechanical print of Maria Laach Abbey, made by Cundall & Fleming. Here we see the visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations of German Romanesque architecture. This image, likely created in the late 19th or early 20th century, reflects a moment of national consolidation in Germany, in which cultural institutions played a crucial role in fostering a sense of shared history and identity. The Abbey, with its imposing structure and rich history, would have served as a potent symbol of German cultural heritage. Photography itself, as a relatively new medium at the time, was rapidly becoming an important tool for documenting and disseminating cultural knowledge. How did institutional forces influence the creation of the artwork? Was this image made for educational purposes, or as part of a broader effort to promote cultural tourism? These are the kinds of questions that art historians grapple with, drawing on a variety of research resources to understand the social and institutional contexts in which art is made and received.