Gezicht op het interieur van de Patriarchale Kathedrale Basiliek van San Marco, Venetië 1872 - 1876

Jean Andrieu created this stereoscopic image of the Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of San Marco in Venice. Consider how photography emerged as a powerful tool in the 19th century, capturing not just images, but also the cultural and societal values of the time. Churches held significant importance in society, serving as centers of community, faith, and often, power. This photograph places us inside a grand cathedral at a time when the church’s influence was both deeply embedded and increasingly challenged by new ideologies. Through Andrieu's lens, we are invited to witness the architectural magnificence, but also to reflect on the narratives and histories embedded within these spaces. What does it mean to photograph a place of worship? And how do such images shape our understanding of faith, power, and cultural identity?