Monumento a San Gennaro Nella Chiesa Di Montevergine 1898

Curator: This print depicts the "Monumento a San Gennaro Nella Chiesa Di Montevergine," created in 1898 by Giuseppe Barberis. The medium is an engraving, capturing what appears to be a sculpted bust. Editor: It has a stern, imposing presence. The stark contrasts of the engraving certainly emphasize the weight and formality of the depicted sculpture and architecture. The engraving does lack detail however and makes me want to view the actual work. Curator: Indeed. Looking closely at the printmaking, the varying line weights likely try to represent the original monument's texture and volume. I wonder what kind of stone the sculpture would have been made of. And what labour and craftsmanship went into creating this ornate setting, as the engraving also suggests architectural complexity. The material properties impact our perception of this image greatly. Editor: This sculpture likely plays a crucial role in reinforcing the authority of the church and promoting the veneration of San Gennaro within the religious community of Montevergine. Barberis' decision to capture the monument serves to broadcast its significance and imbue it with renewed importance through distribution of the work as print, reinforcing public devotion through access. Curator: I find the contrast between the holy figure and the materials they likely utilized fascinating. From precious metals, possibly gold thread within that hat, to pigment used to paint and illustrate their importance—how did this labour and access to materials create social structure at the time, and support belief systems materially? Editor: Certainly a thought-provoking piece. It brings up broader questions about art’s function in promoting power, shaping cultural memory, and influencing public perception, something particularly important considering religious shifts at the end of the 19th century. Curator: Absolutely. Analyzing the artwork this way brings the craftsmanship to the foreground and shows a deep investment of physical, cultural, and spiritual labor. Editor: A poignant insight; the image reveals that artwork is, in effect, more than merely aesthetic experience but a kind of historical argument through imagery, material, production and display.