Rivaulx Abbey. Looking Across the Choir 1850s

Joseph Cundall captured this view of Rivaulx Abbey with his camera, immortalizing the arches and columns in a silent, sepia tone. These architectural elements, so central to religious structures, are not merely stone, but symbols. The arch, in its reaching towards the heavens, echoes a desire for connection to the divine. We find similar arches in Roman aqueducts and triumphal arches, structures that, like abbeys, seek to elevate and inspire. Consider the columns. Their verticality speaks of strength and stability, reminiscent of ancient Greek temples where columns held up the very heavens, or so it was believed. Over time, the column’s symbolism has morphed, yet it remains a potent symbol of support, both physical and spiritual. Here, the ruins evoke a poignant sense of memory. The incomplete structure leaves an emotional impact, a deep, subconscious understanding of time’s relentless march. The past is always present, influencing and shaping our perceptions. The arches and columns reappear throughout history, bearing witness to our perpetual longing for the eternal.