Head of the Virgin looking up to the right, after Reni 1869

Robert Trossin made this print of the Head of the Virgin after Guido Reni, using engraving. The original painting was made in Italy in the early 17th century, but this print was made in the 19th century when there was a growing appetite for religious imagery. Prints like this one played a key role in 19th century visual culture as they helped disseminate images to a wider audience, well beyond the reach of the Catholic Church. They could be reproduced in books or hung on the walls of private homes. Although this Virgin Mary may seem uncontroversial to us now, images of the Holy Family have historically played a significant role in the consolidation of power. It is worth considering the politics of imagery and how this image of Mary may have been viewed in different social contexts. To understand this print and its context better, we need to investigate both the history of image reproduction and the social history of religion. By exploring these resources, we can better understand the social conditions that shaped its production and reception.