De Sint-Matthiaskerk in Trier 1876 - 1877

Curator: Here we have P. Krapp’s photograph of "De Sint-Matthiaskerk in Trier," taken in 1877, an albumen print showcasing the basilica. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: Stark! The texture of the stone is palpable. You can almost feel the weight and coolness of the structure, looming large and…unforgiving. Curator: Yes, there’s an imposing presence. The church is dedicated to Saint Matthias, the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. Its imagery links back to themes of duty and religious replacement, very central to Trier's historical narrative. Editor: The printing process definitely adds to that somber feeling. I'm curious about Krapp’s choice of the albumen print; it really emphasizes detail but in a rather flat way, almost architectural in its precision. It also raises questions of cost and accessibility, considering the materials. Who would have purchased this print, and why? Curator: Certainly the technical details give insight to that time. Saint Matthias' relics reside here. Churches become powerful anchors. Consider, too, the clock at the very top—timekeeping melding into the divine space. Krapp captures more than stone and mortar, but beliefs materialized, you see? Editor: But beliefs built *with* stone and mortar. Look at the sheer labor it took. This wasn't divine intervention, it was human toil shaping raw materials according to blueprints, social power, and, of course, monetary investments. How was this church funded, and who benefitted most from its construction? That’s the symbolism I see. Curator: Fascinating angle. Indeed the convergence is palpable. Editor: Right, from different vantages and focal points that’s the most beautiful result.