Rome. St. Pieter c. 1893 - 1903

Here we see a photograph of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, captured by Fratelli Alinari. The image presents a complex interplay of power, religion, and representation. St. Peter’s Basilica, a symbol of the Catholic Church's dominance, is rendered here through the Alinari brothers' lens, who were known for documenting Italian art and architecture, contributing to a narrative of national identity and cultural heritage. Consider the architecture itself, designed by men and dedicated to a legacy of male religious authority. The statues of saints and the portraits of Popes, all men, reinforce a patriarchal structure. Yet, within these walls, countless individuals, women and men, have found solace, inspiration, or even questioned their place in such a hierarchy. The photograph invites us to consider not just the grandeur of the Church, but the myriad personal stories that intersect within its walls. How do individuals reconcile their own identities with the imposing structures of history and power?