Annual Croll Lecture Discusses Cathedral Architecture and Modern Superstructures
Andrew Cole of Princeton University spoke in Joseph Theater for the annual Croll Lecture. (Alice Van Etten/The Gettysburgian)
By Nathaniel Swindell, Staff Writer
Princeton University professor Andrew Cole visited Gettysburg for the annual English department Croll Lecture on Monday, Feb. 24, which focused on architecture in cathedrals and modern structures.
The lecture explored the history of cathedral architecture by analyzing several writings from past centuries, most notably those of 18th century German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.
The first half of the lecture focused on the connection between cathedrals and nature, explaining how many structures inside early cathedrals were designed to be similar to trees. This similarity was represented by several medieval artists, as shown by several examples of artwork displayed by Cole.
“It appears that medieval cathedrals caused a confusion over whether they are products of nature or works of culture,” said Cole. “The analogy between trees and cathedrals is a very common one.”
Cole then spoke about Hegel, explaining how the philosopher had personally visited many cathedrals across Europe, recording his observations and thoughts on their architecture and influences.
“For our purposes here, it is suffice to mark that [Hegel] was obsessed with cathedrals and was a cathedral tourist,” said Cole.
Cole noted the influence that medieval cathedrals had on Hegel’s ideas and writing, despite the common association of the philosopher with modernity.
“Again, for one who’s interested in the work of Hegel, that his best theorization of spatial thinking happened in a medieval cathedral, I think that’s interesting,” said Cole. “For a philosopher that’s heralded as one of the inventors of a kind of modernity, and a certain kind of subjectivity and psychology that is distinctly modern, that he finds that within the architecture of a medieval cathedral.”
Cole then focused on modern times, comparing the interior of modern superstructures to those of the past, despite the common belief that including the belief that today’s big-box stores are mundane in comparison to the cathedrals and mosques of the past.
“Maybe not everyone has visited these spaces, but I wager we’ve been inside many of this kind, and perhaps find them mundane,” said Cole.
Cole finished his talk by noting that, despite how mundane some modern structures seem compared to those of the past, there are still many present-day creations, such as theaters, that can stand alongside the complexity of early cathedrals in terms of design and influence.
Cole expressed gratitude to the English department and the College for hosting him.
“I’d like to thank the department of English and [professor Christopher Fee] for bringing me here,” said Cole.
(Alice Van Etten/The Gettysburgian)
