Artwork

Cathedral, Santiago, Spain, Portico de la Gloria, details of Doorway (No.3)

Cathedral, Santiago, Spain, Portico de la Gloria, details of Doorway (No.3) 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.

About this work

This picture shows details of the Portico de la Gloria at Santiago Cathedral in Spain.

Charles Thurston Thompson took this photo in 1867. He was the Victoria and Albert Museum’s first official photographer. This picture shows details of the Portico de la Gloria at Santiago Cathedral in Spain.

Thompson made the trip to Spain and Portugal just to photograph art and buildings. His photos were used by artists and scholars for reference and inspiration.

Check out more work by Thompson, Charles Thurston.

Overview

This 1867 photograph captures intricate details of the Portico de la Gloria at Santiago Cathedral in Spain, taken by Charles Thurston Thompson, the Victoria and Albert Museum's first official photographer, during his dedicated campaign to document Iberian art and architecture.

Subject & Meaning

The image focuses on architectural elements of the Portico de la Gloria, a renowned part of the cathedral, highlighting its sculptural and ornamental aspects. The subject reflects Thompson's mission to record and preserve visual documentation of significant European cultural heritage sites.

Technique & Style

As a product of mid-19th-century photographic technology, the image exemplifies early architectural photography. Thompson's compositional choices, likely influenced by his background in documenting museum objects, emphasize clarity and detail, serving both aesthetic and documentary purposes.

History & Provenance

Originally part of the National Art Library, this photograph was among those published posthumously by the Arundel Society in a bound volume. The V&A holds multiple copies of this volume and additional loose plates, indicating its circulation among scholars, artists, and the public.

Context

Created during a period of heightened interest in European heritage, this photograph contributed to the dissemination of knowledge about Spanish architectural treasures among British scholars and artists. It reflects the V&A's role in promoting cross-cultural artistic appreciation through photography.

Legacy

Thompson's photographs, including this one, have played a lasting role in art historical research and education, particularly in the study of medieval Spanish architecture. They remain valuable resources in the V&A's collections, bridging 19th-century documentary practices with contemporary scholarly needs.