Sarcofago Detto Dei Dodici Apostoli 1900

Giuseppe Barberis made this detailed engraving, ‘Sarcofago Detto Dei Dodici Apostoli’, sometime between 1840 and 1917. It reflects a growing interest in the early Christian period, particularly in Italy, during a time of significant social and political upheaval. The image depicts Christ enthroned, surrounded by figures thought to be the twelve apostles. The artist invites us to consider the formation of religious identity and authority through the act of representation. The apostles, bearing gifts and symbols, express devotion and faith, reinforcing Christ's central role. Each element, from the crosses above to the posture of the figures below, constructs a narrative of power, reverence, and spiritual leadership. Barberis, working in a time of nation-building and cultural rediscovery, uses the past to reflect on contemporary issues of faith and power. This engraving, both personal and historical, resonates with ongoing questions about belief, community, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are.