Broadside with 48 scenes relating to the procession of Our Lady of Cinta (Tortosa) 1865

This unsigned 19th-century broadside from Spain, made by José Noguera, presents 48 scenes detailing the procession of Our Lady of Cinta in Tortosa. The grid-like composition divides the narrative into neat, digestible episodes. Each scene, rendered in simple lines and shapes, captures moments of religious ritual. The layout itself invites a structuralist reading. Arranged chronologically, the scenes create a visual syntax. Each small frame functions as a sign, collectively narrating a cultural event. Note how the figures, though basic in form, convey movement and emotion through posture and gesture. This echoes semiotic theories, where meaning is derived not just from the image itself, but from its relation to other images within the series. Ultimately, the broadside's power lies in its formal arrangement. It transforms a complex cultural practice into a structured, readable format. This ordered presentation encourages viewers to reflect on the underlying systems and beliefs that shape community rituals. It becomes an exercise in decoding cultural meaning through visual structure.