Church Interior, Joseph Sudek

[Andrew O'Neill]

I was wandering around the Christmas market in North Vancouver last week. I stepped inside one building, looking for a washroom. There seemed to have a photography exhibit in the corner. I happily stumbled across one by Sudek... One that I have never seen before. I was quite impressed with it, particularly, its rich blacks. What threw me off though, was its title. Church Interior. I couldn't find anything about this image, especially why it was titled that... Perhaps this subject matter/location was his equivalent to a church interior? I mean, the branches do kind of resemble rib vaulting... sort of.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Isn't it called, "Spring labyrinth in Lobkovcka Garden, 1966"?

Was there a second print beside this one, of a church interior? Could it a one card for two prints situation?

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Ah, I see it's at Presentation House. Maybe N.D. means they have a second print of his in their collection, but it is "Not Displayed" at this time?

 

[logan2z]

Ah, I see it's at Presentation House. Maybe N.D. means they have a second print of his in their collection, but it is "Not Displayed" at this time?

I think it might mean 'not dated'. If you see the description of the other print the date immediately follows the title.

 

[Ben 4]

Yes—it looks like two different photos identified on one label here. I think the "n.d." after "Church Interior" means "no date" in this case, since it occupies the same position as the date given for "Spring Labyrinth." So the mystery continues—where is "Church Interior"?

 

[Alex Benjamin]

So the mystery continues—where is "Church Interior"?

Here !

Well, ICP, actually : https://www.icp.org/browse/archive/objects/church-interior-1

Note that there's another Sudek photo titled "Church Interior, St. Vitus Cathedral"

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Only the tree print was there.

 

[pentaxuser]

Only the tree print was there.

Andrew, it sounds as if your experience could be the basis for an episode of a series on BBC called Psychoville or Inside Number 9 All episodes start as it's an ordinary event you are witnessing but somehow nothing is quite right about it as you descend into the "no return" madness that slowly engulfs you.....

pentaxuser

 

[Alex Benjamin]

I read "Exhibition reproduction courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houton". Probably also took the descriptive panel from the same exhibition, in which Church Interior was probably present. They just didn't bother to check the text.

 

[MattKing]

Ah, I see it's at Presentation House. Maybe N.D. means they have a second print of his in their collection, but it is "Not Displayed" at this time?

More likely the Polygon Gallery, as I believe the former Presentation House programs are now operated out of there.

 

[mshchem]

My wife the retired curator is quite clear n.d. indicates "no date" when it's unclear when it was made.

 

[Sirius Glass]

So he worshiped in the wild. Refreshing.

 

[Tel]

Andrew, thanks for posting this. I like Sudek’s work a lot; going to seek it out now.

+1 to Alex’s answer—probably that bugbear of 21st century writing, the cut-and-paste error.

 

[Arthurwg]

Yes, I'm going to open my Sudek book for the first time in years!

 

[jvo]

it was also a series of images of the renovation at the cathedral in Sudek' book "the poet of prague, a photographers life". a worthwhile book.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I've always admired his work. This was the first print I've seen of his in person...

 

[snusmumriken]

Here !

Well, ICP, actually : https://www.icp.org/browse/archive/objects/church-interior-1

Note that there's another Sudek photo titled "Church Interior, St. Vitus Cathedral"

According to the books I have, both of those are of the inside of the (at that time) unfinished St Vitus cathedral.