Portaal van de Sint-Laurentiuskapel van de kathedraal van Straatsburg before 1894

This photograph of the Portal of the Saint-Laurentius Chapel of the Strasbourg Cathedral was taken by Charles Bernhoeft, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. Bernhoeft would have used a large format camera, and glass plate negatives. The image is more than a straightforward record; it's a meditation on craft, labor, and faith. Consider the cathedral itself. Stone by stone, generations of masons raised this structure, each cut and placement a testament to human skill. Bernhoeft's photograph captures the intricate details of the portal, bringing the stone carving to life, where sharp lines and soft gradients convey the weight and texture of the stone. In this photograph, we're invited to appreciate the layers of artistry – from the stonemasons who shaped the cathedral, to Bernhoeft who captured its essence on a photographic plate. It reminds us that art isn't just about individual genius, but about the collective effort of communities, and the skill of the human hand.