Chartres Cathedral (Notre-Dame)

Elevation 1 has a certain straightness to the lines used, especially to depict the towers, to imply the form of the building very starkly. Elevation 2 on the other hand is full of finer details, especially the nuances of the signature Gothic arches. Elevation 2 uses shadows to convey the reality of how the face of the building will look if the sun is shining in from the right side. Elevation 1, however, uses no shadows or lighting, but rather speaks to the total symmetry of the façade. Elevation 2 does indeed portray itself as an elevation, but the shadows and misalignment of the spire do make it seem to come across as an elevation that halfheartedly wishes to be seen as a perspective photo. In my opinion, elevation 1 brings a sense of overall precision while elevation 2 brings the idea and spirit of the Cathedral to life.