Strasbourg
AA-2026-257459
On the image
The facade of this European cathedral represents a thousand years of continuous human effort dedicated to impressing something greater than themselves. Now, it mainly provides a lot of carved stonework for the sunlight to hit, creating interesting shadows. A person on a bicycle moves across the foreground, likely focused on avoiding cracks in the pavement.
A woman with stylish 1970s glasses and a pragmatic haircut looks directly at the camera. Her presence is a small, brief interruption in the long, slow story the building tells. The vast narratives carved into the stone above her head have endured for centuries, but her gaze will only last as long as the photograph.
She stands in front of a doorway detailed with figures, each one carefully sculpted to convey a particular message about humanity's place in the universe. Her own message, conveyed by her direct look, seems to be "yes, I see you."
The historian's note
The image depicts the elaborate Gothic west facade of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, located in Strasbourg, France. Construction on the cathedral began in 1176, with major portions completed by the 15th century, making it one of the largest and most architecturally significant examples of Gothic art in Europe.
This photograph, dating to the 1970s, captures the daily interaction of people with this monumental structure. The cathedral's facade is renowned for its intricate sculptural programme, depicting biblical scenes and figures, which draws visitors and scholars worldwide.
Strasbourg Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognised for its exceptional value as a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and its historical significance as a symbol of the spiritual and cultural developments of the Middle Ages.
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Strasbourg Cathedral Facade, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-257459. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/strasbourg-cathedral-facade-1970s.
@misc{aaAA2026257459,
title = {Strasbourg Cathedral Facade, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-257459},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/strasbourg-cathedral-facade-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Strasbourg Cathedral Facade, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-257459 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/strasbourg-cathedral-facade-1970s ER -
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