Altaarciborie van de Basiliek van Sint-Ambrosius te Milaan c. 1875 - 1900

This photograph by Fratelli Alinari captures the altar ciborium of the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan. The basilica, dedicated to Saint Ambrose, a pivotal figure in Milan's history, stands as a powerful symbol of religious and political authority. Photography in the 19th century, while groundbreaking, was deeply embedded in social structures. Alinari, as photographers, were mediators between the sacred space and the secular world, shaping how viewers encountered such monuments. Consider the layers of history embedded in this image: the basilica's origins, the rise of photography, and the cultural values each represents. What does it mean to capture a sacred space through a modern lens?