Lato Della Chiesa Di San Colombano 1890

Giuseppe Barberis made this print of the side of the Church of San Colombano sometime in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. It presents us with a historical record of the Italian church, its architecture, and its place in the surrounding mountainous landscape. As art historians, we can examine the visual codes embedded in this print to understand the cultural and social context in which it was created. The church, a central institution in Italian society, dominates the composition, emphasizing its power and influence. The style of the architecture and its solidity also convey a sense of stability and tradition, values that were often upheld by the church. Historical records, architectural surveys, and local histories would help us to understand the changes to the building and its cultural significance over time. By combining formal analysis with historical research, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social conditions that shaped both the creation and reception of this artwork.