Detailopname van een kapiteel in de kloostergang van de dom van Monreale 1856 - 1914

Giuseppe Incorpora created this photograph of a capital in the cloister of Monreale Cathedral at an unknown date. The image invites us to consider the role of photography in the late 19th century in documenting and interpreting historical and religious sites. Incorpora, working in Sicily, captured this close-up of a column capital, emphasizing its ornate carvings. These capitals, adorned with stylized birds and intricate foliage, reflect a fusion of Norman, Arab, and Byzantine artistic influences, typical of Sicilian art in the 12th century. Monreale Cathedral itself was a powerful symbol of Norman rule and Christian authority in a culturally diverse region. Incorpora’s photograph not only documents the cathedral’s architecture, but also participates in the 19th-century project of national identity formation through historical preservation. By focusing on details like this capital, Incorpora draws our attention to the visual language through which power, faith, and cultural identity were constructed and negotiated. Researching the archives of Sicilian photography and Norman-era art will help contextualize this work.