Preekstoel in de kathedraal van Ravello 1864 - 1881

This is Giacomo Brogi’s photograph of the pulpit in the Cathedral of Ravello, taken sometime between 1850 and 1880. Brogi, an Italian photographer, captured architectural landmarks during a time of significant cultural change. His work offers a window into 19th-century Italy. The pulpit itself, sitting atop a series of lion sculptures, merges religious authority with earthly power. It prompts us to consider the intertwined nature of faith and social hierarchy. This intertwining was particularly fraught during Italy’s unification when the church's temporal power was in decline. Brogi's photograph captures more than just the pulpit’s physical presence. It invites us to reflect on the complex relationships between religious institutions, the state, and the faithful. It also serves as a reminder that, even within the sacred space of a cathedral, questions of power, identity, and social order are perpetually present.