Portret van paus Pius IX 1850 - 1878

This is a photograph of Pope Pius IX made by the Fratelli d’ Alessandri. The image itself presents the Pope as an icon of religious authority, with his white robes, crucifix, and papal chair symbolizing his divine role. It was made in Italy, a nation then undergoing immense social and political upheaval. The Papal States were diminishing, leading to a decline in the Church’s temporal power. Consider how photography itself, as a relatively new medium, was being used to project power and influence. By circulating images like this, the Church sought to maintain its cultural relevance. The photograph would have reinforced established hierarchies for believers, but perhaps appeared as an exercise in outdated authority to those aligned with the burgeoning Italian nationalism. To truly understand this photograph, we can examine the social and religious history of 19th-century Italy, exploring sources like Papal encyclicals, period newspapers, and the writings of contemporary social critics. Ultimately, the photograph reveals the complex interplay between religious institutions, visual culture, and the shifting sands of political power.