Koorbank uit Siena met een reliëf van plantmotieven en een wolvin die Remus en Romulus zoogt (vermoedelijk) c. 1875 - 1900

This photograph by Paolo Lombardi, dating back to the 19th century, captures a choir stall from Siena adorned with reliefs of plant motifs and, purportedly, a she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus. The photograph exists within the burgeoning field of art history and documentation of cultural heritage that came to prominence in the 19th century. This period saw a renewed interest in classical narratives, evidenced here through the possible depiction of the she-wolf. The image also exists in the Risorgimento – the unification of Italy. Rome was a key site in solidifying a sense of shared cultural and political identity, particularly in its focus on legendary origins and power. Lombardi’s photographic lens frames the choir stall, possibly inviting viewers to reflect on Italy’s historical roots. The photograph prompts questions about cultural identity, origin myths, and the ways in which art immortalizes and interprets them.