Gezicht op de San Sisto in Piacenza, Italië before 1895

This photogravure pictures the San Sisto church in Piacenza, Italy, and was made by E. Fiorentini. The image presents the church as a monumental presence, a testament to the power of the Catholic Church and its influence on Italian society. Photogravure, as a medium, was often used to document historical monuments and architectural achievements, reinforcing their importance within the cultural narrative. Italy's rich religious history and the dominance of the Catholic Church have profoundly shaped its art and architecture. The photogravure process itself is part of the institutional history of art, as these types of reproductions played a key role in disseminating images of artworks and architectural monuments. Understanding this image requires research into the history of the Catholic Church in Piacenza, the architectural history of the San Sisto church, and the role of photography in documenting and promoting cultural heritage. The meaning of this image is thus contingent on its social and institutional context.