Voorgevel van de Santa Croce te Florence before 1888

Curator: So, "Voorgevel van de Santa Croce te Florence"— "Facade of Santa Croce in Florence"— a photograph captured before 1888 by Edizione Brogi. Looking at it… it feels like stumbling upon a hidden world in an old book, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. It’s amazing how this photographic print, neatly tucked within what looks like an antique book, transports you to a bygone era. The sepia tones create a nostalgic atmosphere. What catches your eye? Curator: I’m drawn to how Brogi has captured not just the architectural grandeur of Santa Croce, but the stillness, the atmosphere that only photography of that period can conjure. Imagine the hustle and bustle of Florence at the time, then contrast that to what this image is presenting. The architectural detailing, though captured on a grey scale image, holds a unique place. Editor: That’s interesting. I’m so used to seeing highly saturated, perfect images of Florence today that this feels almost… solemn? Like I’m witnessing history in a very quiet moment. Curator: Perhaps because the technology wasn’t able to pick up colour? The photographer is trying to speak with images to tell its history? How well it stands, despite the change of environment in Florence over all this time? What do you make of the album printing technique with regards to longevity? Editor: You know, I hadn't thought about that aspect. It definitely gives it a sense of preciousness. Considering this image is bound into a book, its protection may have improved, but I’m still curious about how light exposure over the years may impact the original photograph. Curator: Exactly! These are questions which go further than aesthetic interpretation! It makes you think beyond, beyond the now. Which, at least to me, is an image’s greatest power: triggering an emotional, intellectual response and forcing questions to rise from the void! Editor: Definitely agree! This image of Santa Croce offers more than just a depiction; it presents a narrative layered with historical and contextual nuances that I wouldn't have seen otherwise. Thanks for walking me through your reading of the piece!