Pantheon c. 1890 - 1900

This photograph of the Pantheon was taken by Samuel J. Beckett. While we don’t have specific dates for this image, it’s important to consider the Pantheon not just as a building, but as a site layered with centuries of changing meanings. Originally a Roman temple, it was later converted into a Catholic church, reflecting the shifting power dynamics in Rome. What does it mean to take a picture of a building that has stood through empires and religions? The Pantheon embodies a complex interplay between power, religion, and identity. Its transformation from a pagan temple to a Christian church speaks volumes about cultural adaptation and the imposition of new beliefs over old ones. This photograph then becomes a document, a record of a place that has witnessed endless transformations, and continues to shape our understanding of history.