Grafmonument voor Giuliano de' Medici naar Michelangelo te Florence, Italië 1864 - 1881

This photograph by Giacomo Brogi captures Michelangelo’s marble tomb for Giuliano de’ Medici in Florence, Italy. Think about what it took to produce Michelangelo's original monument: quarrying the marble, transporting it, carving it with chisels and rasps. The figures have a physical presence that is undeniable, each mark bearing witness to the hand of the artist. It's a testament to the immense skill and labor required to bring these forms into being, each strike of the chisel reflecting a deep understanding of the material and a commitment to shaping it with intention. This process is a world away from the darkroom magic of Brogi, who was alive at a time when photography and its technologies of mass reproduction became more commonplace. While Michelangelo’s sculptures elevate the status of the Medici family, Brogi’s photo makes the tomb accessible to a wider audience. The photograph allows for the appreciation of the sculpture's artistry, while questioning traditional ideas about art and craft.