Interieur van de Sint-Pieterskerk, Leuven 1872 - 1875

Jules Hippolyte Quéval captured this image of the interior of the Sint-Pieterskerk in Leuven using photography, a relatively new medium at the time. Quéval was working in a period where the representation of religious spaces was often intertwined with national identity and cultural pride. Churches, like this one, were not just places of worship but also symbols of community and history. The photograph, with its focus on the intricate details of the church's architecture, invites reflection on the role of religion in shaping social identities. Consider how the architectural grandeur might have reinforced notions of power and authority. It prompts us to reflect on who had access to these spaces and whose stories were told within them. It serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between faith, identity, and the built environment.