Fotoreproductie van een prent van een portret van een onbekende kardinaal before 1863

This is Giacomo Brogi’s photographic reproduction of a print portraying an unknown cardinal, made in the late 19th century. The original photograph is found within the pages of a book. Brogi was an Italian photographer and entrepreneur, whose work provides a window into the visual culture of his time. His position as a commercial photographer allowed him to capture and disseminate images that catered to the interests and tastes of a broad audience, including the burgeoning tourist industry. This portrait, meticulously captured and reproduced, raises questions about identity and representation. Who was this unknown cardinal, and what did his image signify? It makes me think about the power dynamics within the Catholic Church and the ways in which individuals navigated their identities within its hierarchical structure. Perhaps the anonymity of the subject invites viewers to project their own interpretations and meanings onto the image, reflecting the complex relationship between the church, its members, and society at large.