The Presentation of Saint Ephysius to Emperor Diocletian - Fratelli Alinari

A nineteenth-century albumen silver print by Fratelli Alinari, documenting the fresco cycle of Saint Ephysius by Spinello Aretino in the Camposanto, Pisa.

This albumen silver print by the Fratelli Alinari studio captures a photographic record of the fresco cycle located within the Camposanto Monumentale in Pisa. The original fresco, painted by the late Gothic master Spinello Aretino (c. 1350-1410), depicts the narrative of Saint Ephysius. The Alinari brothers, pioneers in the field of photographic documentation, sought to preserve the visual record of Italian heritage sites during the nineteenth century. Their work provides a window into the state of these frescoes before the extensive damage caused during the Second World War.

The composition follows the narrative conventions of the fourteenth century, organising the scene into distinct zones of action. Figures are arranged in a frieze-like manner, with the central interaction between the saint and the emperor serving as the primary focus. The photographic process renders the faded tones of the original plaster in soft sepia, capturing the weathered texture of the wall surface. The upper portion of the print shows decorative architectural elements, including medallions and relief carvings, which frame the narrative scene.

As a historical document, this print offers insight into the nineteenth-century approach to art history and the preservation of medieval Italian painting. The Alinari studio utilised large-format glass plate negatives to ensure clarity, allowing for the study of the composition and the specific iconographic details of the Saint Ephysius cycle. The print is mounted on a grey card, typical of the presentation style favoured by the studio for their archival collections. This piece is a record of the intersection between early photography and the study of Italian fresco painting, documenting a work that has since undergone significant restoration and change.