Standbeeld van Evangelista Torricelli before 1864

This photograph of a statue of Evangelista Torricelli was made by Caldesi & Co. Statues in the 19th Century served as powerful tools for shaping public memory and national identity. Torricelli was a celebrated Italian physicist and mathematician known for his work on barometric pressure. Public sculptures were not just about honoring individuals; they were about embodying certain values and ideals. The statue, likely commissioned by civic or academic institutions, sends a message about Italy’s contribution to scientific progress. Consider the placement of the original statue and the cultural messages it conveyed to its audience, this photograph allowed its dissemination and reception. How did its cultural meaning shift in different contexts? Art historians delve into these questions, using archival records, critical theory, and social history to understand the full story behind each work of art.