Gezicht op het koor in de Abdij Riddagshausen te Braunschweig 1892

This monochromatic photograph by J. Schombardt captures the choir of Riddagshausen Abbey in Braunschweig, with a large, ornate pulpit taking center stage. The pulpit, a symbol of religious authority and communication, is here depicted with its traditional function: to elevate the word and voice of the preacher above the congregation. Consider how the form of the pulpit has traversed through centuries. Think of the ancient Greek bema, an elevated platform for speakers, which evolved into the Roman rostra. We see this ancestral line echoed in Christian architecture, where the pulpit becomes a critical feature, embodying a sacred space for delivering sermons. The act of standing above, of speaking from a height, taps into deep psychological undercurrents tied to power, knowledge, and the act of guiding the masses. Throughout history, various cultures have adapted this motif, signifying a transfer of knowledge and authority. The image stirs in us echoes of ancestral proclamations and the enduring human need for guidance and wisdom. This symbol persists, evolving yet retaining its primal impact.