Kirkstall Abbey. Doorway on the North Side 1850s

Joseph Cundall captured this albumen silver print, “Kirkstall Abbey. Doorway on the North Side,” using photographic processes that were cutting-edge for the time. Photography in the 19th century was far from the instantaneous practice we know today. The albumen process, using egg whites to bind light-sensitive chemicals to paper, demanded meticulous preparation and skill. Cundall's choice of this medium highlights photography's emerging role as both a documentary tool and an artistic endeavor. The print's sepia tones and soft focus lend the ruined abbey a romantic air, a stark contrast to the labor-intensive process required to produce the image itself. It’s interesting to consider the social context: the rise of photography coincided with industrialization and changing attitudes towards labor and leisure. While the children in the image seem at rest, consider the unseen work that went into capturing this moment. By emphasizing the labor and materials involved in image-making, we gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and cultural significance of photography beyond its aesthetic qualities.