The Cloister of Santa Maria di Gesù at Palermo 1835

Anton Hallmann created this pencil on paper drawing of 'The Cloister of Santa Maria di Gesù at Palermo' sometime in the early 1800s. Hallmann, working in a time of significant social change, captures more than just the architectural details of the Santa Maria di Gesù. Consider the significance of a cloister, a space typically reserved for religious figures, often separated from the outside world. Hallmann's choice to depict this space invites us to contemplate themes of exclusion and inclusion that resonate with broader societal power structures. Who is allowed into these spaces, and who is kept out? How does architecture itself shape our experiences and perceptions? The Santa Maria di Gesù embodies the intricate relationship between the sacred and the secular, reflecting a society grappling with shifting religious and political landscapes. Hallmann provides an introspective view that invites us to consider the social and spiritual dimensions of space.