A woman kneels to kiss the foot of Pope Pius VII, with a crowd behind her at left 1814 - 1850

Carlo Lasinio created this print of a woman kissing the foot of Pope Pius VII, sometime before his death in 1838. It offers a window into the social and political landscape of early 19th-century Italy, then in the throes of complex shifts in power. The act of kissing the Pope's foot is a potent symbol of reverence and submission to papal authority. However, the presence of a crowd suggests this isn't just a private act of devotion, but a public demonstration. Consider the setting: an interior space, possibly within the Vatican, where the Pope holds court. The architecture, the clothing of the figures, and the very act being depicted all speak to the powerful influence of the Catholic Church in Italian society. Historical sources show that the Papal States experienced French occupation and political upheaval in this period. This image may be a statement about the Pope’s power and endurance. It also reminds us that, as historians, we can delve deeper into such images by researching the specific historical context and institutional forces at play.