Altaar en de katheder in de Saint Patrick's Cathedral te New York before 1886

This image shows the altar and cathedra within St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, made with stone, glass, and wood. The Gothic Revival style seen here, so popular for churches in the nineteenth century, is a testament to the human labor that went into its construction. The altar and cathedra are assembled from carved stone, with stained glass windows overhead. It represents a significant investment of time and skill. Stone must be quarried, cut, transported, and then carefully shaped to create the forms and patterns seen in the altar. Similarly, the stained glass requires skilled artisans who are capable of working with molten glass, and creating intricate designs through leading. Consider the physical effort involved in extracting the raw materials, and the long hours spent by artists and craftspeople to assemble the parts. All of that labor becomes integral to our experience of the space, transforming the Cathedral into a potent expression of faith, and an impressive built environment.