Gezicht op de kathedraal en het Baptisterium te Pisa, Italië 1864 - 1881

This albumen print depicting the Cathedral and Baptistery in Pisa, Italy was created in the 19th Century by Giacomo Brogi. Brogi, an Italian photographer, captured architectural and urban scenes during a period of significant cultural transformation in Italy. In this photograph, the architectural grandeur of Pisa is on full display. The Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, and the Baptistery rise impressively from the ground, embodying a complex interplay of power, religion, and cultural identity. What does it mean to see an image of a building which appears to defy gravity? For me, it's a potent symbol of humanity's ambition and its relationship with the built environment. Brogi's work provides insight into 19th-century European perceptions of Italian heritage. His approach to photography helps to shape the understanding and preservation of cultural landmarks in an era defined by colonialism and burgeoning nationalism. The photograph captures the way we engage with history and collective memory.