Interieur van de Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont in Parijs met zicht op het koor c. 1850 - 1880

This stereoscopic photograph captures the interior of the Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont in Paris. Dominating the scene, the altar becomes the central motif, elevated on tiered steps, reminiscent of ancient ziggurats or the raised platforms of classical temples. Such elevation is a symbol, ubiquitous across cultures, representing a sacred space lifted from the mundane. Think of the Pergamon Altar, where the gods battled giants, or even the bema in synagogues. Each is a stage for the divine drama, demanding reverence and marking the point of contact between the earthly and the celestial. Candles adorn the altar, their flames—small beacons of hope and enlightenment—mirroring the votive offerings found in pagan shrines. The subconscious power of light against darkness is a primal draw, triggering deep-seated memories of communal gatherings around the fire, of seeking warmth and guidance in the face of the unknown. This photograph, in its quiet way, touches upon the eternal human quest for transcendence, echoing through millennia.