Gezicht op de begraafplaats van Staglieno in Genua c. 1860 - 1890

Alfredo Noack captured this photograph of the Staglieno Cemetery in Genoa, presenting a landscape dominated by crosses, symbols of Christian faith and resurrection. The cross, however, is not confined to Christianity. Its primal form stretches back into prehistory, appearing in various cultures as a symbol of the cosmos, of the meeting point between the divine and the earthly. In ancient Egypt, the Ankh cross represented eternal life. Here, in this cemetery, the cross marks not only a site of burial but also a potent intersection between life, death, and memory. The repetition of crosses creates a powerful visual rhythm, echoing the endless cycle of life and death. This image taps into our collective consciousness, triggering profound contemplation. It is a symbol that continues to evolve, carrying with it the weight of history and the hope of transcendence.