Twee altaars in de kathedraal van Sevilla before 1886

Editor: This image showcases two altars inside the Seville Cathedral, dating back to before 1886, preserved as a print. There's a stark realism, but the photograph captures a grand sense of space and intricate architectural detail. What strikes me is the juxtaposition of the chapels; their different shapes and ornateness create a dizzying effect. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Ah, Seville Cathedral… a glorious muddle of architectural ambition, wouldn't you agree? You're right; those altars shout contrasting stories! The way the light and shadow play tricks; it’s as if the photograph is not just depicting space, but conjuring the weight of centuries of whispered prayers and gilded piety, or what once represented them. One altar screams Medieval aspiration while the other, despite sharing sacred space, exudes a later, almost showy grandeur. Almost like siblings competing for attention, wouldn't you say? Editor: I didn't think about it as sibling rivalry, that's a clever point. Looking closely now, one altar is clearly more…restrained? Less adorned, I suppose? Do you think the photographer intended to capture this difference or simply document the architecture? Curator: My dear, isn't that the beauty of photography? It unintentionally captures so much more than what the lens aims at. Intent is a slippery fish to catch; however, in the very framing of these altars together, a conversation, a subtle comparison is inevitable, almost mischievous of the photographer. Did it give you the same impression? Editor: Absolutely. It's fascinating how the simple act of putting these two scenes together can spark so many thoughts. Curator: Precisely! And that, my friend, is why we keep looking. Editor: I see it now. Thank you.