Prints, Drawings, and Photographs York Minster: "In Sure and Certain Hope" Photograph taken in York Minster, York, England, Europe1902 Frederick H. Evans, British, 1853 - 1943 Platinum print Currently not on view 1968-220-29 Purchased with funds contributed by Dorothy Norman and with the Director's Discretionary Fund, 1968 |
LabelIn an essay accompanying this image in a 1903 volume of the journal Camera Work, Evans described his struggle to find deeper meaning in the photograph: "This subject fascinated but troubled me. I at once saw the making of a picture in it; the great somber door that might open and lead-anywhere; the fortunately placed recumbent figure with the pathos of uplifted folded hands; the lofty window above; all these were fine and right; but to make the whole cohere, speak, escaped me. But one day I saw what it must mean-to me at least. As I was studying it the sun burst across it, flooding it with radiance. There is my picture, thought I; 'Hope' awaiting, an expectancy with a certitude of answer; and the title seemed defensible, if a little ambitious." |
