Story: Public, commercial and church architecture

This interior view of St Joseph's Catholic Cathedral in Dunedin, looking towards the altar, was painted in 1890. As with other Gothic churches, verticality is emphasised through the pillars and arches. The building also includes a rose window, a common feature of Gothic cathedrals. The haze from the burning candles and incense gives the scene an atmospheric quality; the reduced scale of the pews and people makes the space appear larger than it actually is.