48 Claydon Steeple

The first thing to notice is the angle. Looking up, practically straight up. A dizzying angle, but the only way to fit a long, tall, narrow steeple into a square painting.

It’s Steeple Claydon church, of course! Visible for miles around, but then, what’s the point of building such as this other than to be seen for miles around.

The foreshortening robs us of much of the details as they merge together, vying for space. Arch windows are barely discernible and the vast steeple is a tiny series of triangles. In fact, considering the steeple is the subject, it’s not very prominent at all, but it is there.

The crowning glory of a spectacular structure. And when you look up at it from this angle. And when you look up at it from this angle, it’s hard not to feel intimidated.