Ely Cathedral: Nave, Arches at West End 1891

Frederick H. Evans captured "Ely Cathedral: Nave, Arches at West End" using a platinum print, a process known for its tonal range, somewhere around the turn of the 20th century. Evans, a key figure in the pictorialist movement, sought to elevate photography to the status of fine art. He was deeply influenced by the Gothic Revival, a cultural movement which saw a return to the aesthetics of the medieval period. This image is not just a depiction of architecture, but an emotional and spiritual response to the space. Notice how the arches create a sense of depth, almost pulling you into the photograph and towards the light. Evans once said he sought to capture "not a record of fact, but an expression of feeling." Did he maintain tradition, or develop alternative narratives? He found a sense of the sublime in these architectural spaces. The photograph becomes a meditation on light, space, and spirituality.