Gezicht op de Magdalena-kerk in de Strada San Donato te Bologna Possibly 1767

Gaetano Gandolfi created this wash drawing of the facade of the Church of the Maddalena, in Bologna, sometime in the late eighteenth century. The architectural rendering depicts a sacred space deeply embedded in its urban surroundings. Gandolfi’s Bologna, then part of the Papal States, was a city of arcades, offering shade and shelter to its inhabitants. These arcades, like those seen here, were not merely architectural features but social spaces, blurring the lines between public and private life. Religious institutions like the Maddalena played a vital role, shaping the city’s identity. The drawing’s perspective invites us to consider how religious architecture integrates with everyday life. For an art historian, understanding this image means delving into Bologna’s urban development, religious history, and the social functions of its architecture. We might consult historical maps, church records, and contemporary accounts to fully appreciate Gandolfi’s depiction and the world it represents.