Kirkstall Abbey. From the West 1850s

This 19th-century calotype photograph, "Kirkstall Abbey. From the West," by Joseph Cundall, captures the imposing ruins of Kirkstall Abbey in Yorkshire, England. Taken in the 1850s, the image showcases the abbey's west front, highlighting its intricate architectural details, including the arched doorway and the soaring stonework. Cundall's work, characterized by sharp detail and a sense of grandeur, exemplifies the emerging art of photography and its potential for capturing historical sites. This image is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York City.