Engel van Michelangelo in de San Domenico, Bologna 1868 - 1890

This stereoscopic photograph shows Michelangelo's angel in the San Domenico in Bologna. Though the photographer is unknown, the words on the card indicate it was produced by a commercial studio in Bologna. Photography in the 19th century offered new ways of documenting, preserving, and circulating images of art. It democratized access, allowing people to experience artworks from afar, while also shaping perceptions through composition and framing. In Italy, photographs of artworks served nationalistic agendas, celebrating the country’s cultural heritage. But the trade in photographs was also lucrative. Studios sprung up across the peninsula to meet the demand from tourists and art lovers. This photograph highlights the cultural and economic forces that shaped the reception and dissemination of Michelangelo's art in the 19th century. To fully understand photographs like these, art historians might consult studio archives, trade directories, and period guidebooks. These resources help illuminate the production, consumption, and cultural significance of photographic reproductions in their time.