Koorgestoelte in de Grote of Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk te Dordrecht before 1881

This is a photograph of the choir stalls in the Grote of Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk in Dordrecht, its maker is currently unknown. This image captures a moment frozen in time, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of religious spaces and the craftsmanship of the past. Consider the context: churches, historically, were not just places of worship, but also social and political stages. The choir stalls, prominently featured, would have been the domain of the clergy, the elite, and the powerful. The image evokes a sense of solemnity, and awe at the scale of both the church and the choir stalls, but also invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in religious institutions. How did ordinary people experience these spaces? What stories are hidden within these walls, in the shadows of the sculptures? These choir stalls are more than mere furniture; they are symbols of authority, testaments to faith, and echoes of history.