Photographers
The English Cathedral by Peter Marlow at Ely Cathedral
PhotocriticEtcDurham Cathedral © Peter Marlow / Magnum Photos
Forty-two photographs representing all 42 cathedrals of the Church of England by Magnum photographer Peter Marlow (1952 – 2016) are to be exhibited in The Lady Chapel at Ely Cathedral. This is only the second time this work has been displayed in one of the spaces featured in the series and the first time the project has been exhibited in this region of the UK.
In 2008, Marlow was commissioned by Royal Mail, on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the completion of St Paul’s Cathedral, to photograph six cathedrals. The resulting images of Lichfield, Belfast, Gloucester, St David’s, Westminster, and St Magnus in Orkney were issued as a set of six commemorative stamps and a miniature sheet. Once the commission was complete, Marlow was inspired to continue the project and in the following four years shot all 42 of the cathedrals of the Church of England.
Marlow developed the strategy of shooting a majority of the cathedrals from the same position: looking east towards the altar as the natural light of dawn broke through the main window. Each shoot was devoid of artificial lighting creating a representation of each cathedral removed from the modern age.
Carlisle Cathedral © Peter Marlow / Magnum Photos
The English Cathedral by Peter Marlow runs from 11 February to 5 April 2017 at
Ely Cathedral. Open Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 17.30 and Sunday midday to 16:00.
