Lavabo in de sacristie van de Certosa di Pavia before 1882

This photograph of the lavabo in the sacristy of the Certosa di Pavia was taken by Alfredo Noack in the late 19th century, a period marked by significant social and political shifts in Italy. Noack, working in a time of burgeoning national identity, captures not just a lavabo, but a cultural artifact deeply intertwined with the Catholic Church's influence. The sacristy was a space of preparation and reflection for priests before mass. The lavabo itself, a place of ritual cleansing, symbolizes purity and spiritual readiness. Consider how Noack, as a photographer, uses light and shadow to emphasize the lavabo's ornate details. This work provides a glimpse into a world where religious practice and artistic expression are inseparable. It invites us to contemplate the intersection of faith, ritual, and the everyday lives of those within the sacred space.