Evaluating Art - The Sea of Steps

"The Sea of Steps", a platinum print by Frederick Henry Evans taken in 1903 inside the Wells Cathedral, is an innocently innocuous image that knocks your socks off. It is a very simple view, of steps that undulate up towards an entrance into an enclosed, well-lighted space (presumably the inside of the Wells Cathedral). The colors are muted gray to milky-white, and they seem to have an almost luminescent feel. The steps are "worn and ragged", yet are presented in a stately manner. The view is upward, and the architectural features predominate. The cathedral, built in 1180 and finished in 1260, is of the style "English Gothic". The lighting comes from the mid-right, such that the eye naturally follows the steps upwards toward the light behind the arched doorway. The steps in the front, in darker tones of gray, add depth and substance to a sublime view of an ancient place of worship. This photograph honors its location, and truly attests to the spiritual vision of art.

One of the versions of this photograph that I came across lists the title as "Wells Cathedral: Stairway to Chapter House, 1903". I suspect that may be the original title, but how more appropriate is its well-known description as "The Sea of Steps". This later is a title that suits and complements the image, just as the photograph suits and complements the Cathedral. Robert Leggat reports about Evans that "it is said he would sometimes wait for months to record the precise effect he was seeking." Seeing this photo, I do believe, for how likely is it that the lighting and luminence showed up in just this way? The walls are fluted like an organ, and one can imagine they hear it sonorously playing in accompanyment to this image. It is truly and simply beautiful.

When I came across this image in our photography text, I thought "What a perfect picture." And then, two pages later, I came across the Stieglitz photo of "The Steerage". That, too, strikes me as a perfect photo. Yet look at the differences! The one is simple and elegant, yet without people; the other is full of humanity, yet retains the flow of line and light and substance. And both were made within 4 years of each other. They speak truly of their subjects, and speak directly to their audiences. They are masterpieces for a reason. One doesn't need to be religious, or to be class conscious, to experience the "meaning" of these two images. They are both powerful as IMAGES, without any extended meanings or symbolic references. As works of art, they are things of beauty. As photographs, they are my ideals. What a joy to come across them, and what a pleasure to write about them.

As I wrote elsewhere, Frederick H Evans is new to me. But, I'll be watching for more of his work, now that I've floated on "The Sea of Steps".