The Martyrdom of Saint Ephysius - Fratelli Alinari

A 19th-century albumen print by Fratelli Alinari documenting the fresco of The Martyrdom of Saint Ephysius by Spinello Aretino in the Camposanto, Pisa.

This albumen print by the Fratelli Alinari studio captures the fresco cycle depicting the life and martyrdom of Saint Ephysius, originally painted by the Tuscan artist Spinello Aretino in the late 14th century. Located within the Camposanto Monumentale in Pisa, the original frescoes represent a significant example of late Gothic narrative painting. The Alinari brothers, pioneers in the field of photographic documentation, sought to preserve the visual record of Italian heritage through high-quality reproductions of classical and medieval art.

The photograph reveals the composition of the fresco, showing the saint at the centre of the scene, surrounded by figures in period attire. The narrative structure is typical of the era, prioritising the clear communication of the hagiographic event. Despite the degradation of the original plaster surface over centuries, the photographic process captures the tonal variations and the spatial arrangement of the figures. The print provides a window into the state of the Camposanto frescoes during the late 19th century, before subsequent damage occurred during the Second World War.

As a photographic document, this work functions as a historical record of the fresco's condition. The sepia tones characteristic of the albumen process lend a sense of age to the image, aligning with the historical subject matter. The inclusion of the architectural frame and the surrounding wall details provides context for the fresco's placement within the Pisan cemetery. This print is an example of the intersection between early art history documentation and the technical capabilities of 19th-century photography, offering a view of a monumental work that has since undergone extensive restoration and change.