Artwork

Cathedral, Santiago, Spain, detail of sculpture, doorway of South transept

Cathedral, Santiago, Spain, detail of sculpture, doorway of South transept is a photographic photography by the Impressionist artist Charles Thurston Thompson. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This photograph captures a detailed view of the carved stone at the South transept doorway of Santiago Cathedral in Spain.

About this work

This photo zooms in on carved stone at the South transept doorway of Santiago Cathedral in Spain. Taken in 1867, it shows the fine detail of the cathedral’s sculpture.

Charles Thurston Thompson made the trip as the Victoria and Albert Museum’s first official photographer. The image was part of a series used by artists and scholars.

Look next at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

This photograph captures a detailed view of the carved stone at the South transept doorway of Santiago Cathedral in Spain. Taken in 1867 by Charles Thurston Thompson, the Victoria and Albert Museum's first Official Museum Photographer.

Technique & Style

The image showcases Thompson's skill in capturing fine detail, highlighting the intricate sculpture of the cathedral's doorway.

History & Provenance

The photograph was part of a series taken during Thompson's photographic campaign in Spain and Portugal. It was originally collected in the National Art Library and used as reference material for artists and scholars.

Context

The image was one of many used by the Victoria and Albert Museum to educate and inspire artists, and was also made available for sale to the public.

Legacy

After Thompson's death, a selection of his photographs of Santiago Cathedral was published in a bound volume, circulated to national schools of art and design, and sold to the public.