St. John Lateran's church c. 1890 - 1900

Samuel J. Beckett created this print of St. John Lateran’s church, a building with origins in the fourth century, using a photographic process. Churches, traditionally spaces of community and spiritual solace, also represent complex power dynamics throughout history. This image evokes a sense of the imposing structures that historically wielded significant influence over people's lives. Churches were not just places of worship; they were also centers where social norms were reinforced, and dissent was often suppressed. Here, Beckett captures more than just architecture; the photograph is a meditation on history, power, and the ways in which institutions shape our collective memory.