Gezicht op de kathedraal van Milaan, Italië 1856 - 1881

Curator: This photograph, titled "View of the Cathedral of Milan, Italy", was taken by Giacomo Brogi sometime between 1856 and 1881. Editor: It has a rather ghostly quality. The muted sepia tones emphasize the cathedral's towering spires and the delicate details of its facade. Curator: Brogi's work captures the burgeoning era of urban documentation through photography. We should note how this print acts as both a work of art and a document of material culture, showing not only the Cathedral, but also the social landscape surrounding it in mid-19th century Milan. Think of the labor involved to produce prints such as these. Editor: Yes, and formally speaking, notice how the composition directs the viewer's eye upward, accentuating the verticality and grandeur of the Cathedral, an interplay between light and shadow defines the architectural forms, revealing a mastery over photographic technique. Curator: But I wonder, too, how Brogi navigated the urban landscape to secure his position. What permissions were needed, what dialogues took place? Consider how different social actors shape the production of images such as these. Editor: Indeed. Considering this image within a framework of Italian Realism helps to appreciate how Brogi captures a truthful representation of the cathedral's intricate design. Note the symmetry, the balance between architectural elements. These are carefully composed, adhering to classical notions of beauty and order. Curator: Still, by directing attention to Brogi as one part of a whole production, we can question what the photograph represented as it circulated commercially and politically. For instance, how did these photographic records bolster Milanese or Italian national identity? Editor: Well, regardless, his ability to synthesize artistry with technical skill allowed him to highlight its monumental presence within the cityscape. It gives it a sense of timelessness, an echo of Renaissance ideals translated into the photographic medium. Curator: And it brings attention to labor and networks inherent in this process. This print represents an early way for distant audiences to picture the social, built environment of Milan. Editor: A harmonious interplay between form and content, no doubt, Giacomo Brogi’s photograph manages to transport us to another time.