Fotoreproductie van het fresco Martelaarschap van Sint Filippo naar Filippino Lippi in de Santa Maria Novella te Florence

About this artwork

number: ‘Pt. 2A.-No. 6906.’

Art Historical Context

This albumen print by Fratelli Alinari captures the dramatic fresco *The Martyrdom of Saint Philip* by Renaissance painter Filippino Lippi, located in the prestigious Santa Mariaella church in Florence. Created between 1857 and 1900, the photograph faithfully reproduces Lippi’s vivid 15th-century scene of the saint’s crucifixion, preserving the intricate details of the original fresco for future generations. The Alinari brothers, pioneers of Italian photography, specialized in documenting Italy’s artistic heritage, turning their lens on masterpieces like this one to share them beyond the church walls. As an albumen print—a popular 19th-century photographic process known for its rich tones and fine detail—this work exemplifies early efforts to use photography as a tool for art preservation and study. Measuring just under 20 by 25 centimeters, the image carries the archival notation “Pt. 2A.-No. 6906,” reflecting the firm’s systematic cataloging practices that built one of Europe’s most important photographic archives. Fratelli Alinari’s reproductions helped democratize access to Renaissance art at a time when travel was limited, allowing scholars and the public alike to appreciate Lippi’s expressive style and the cultural significance of Florence’s religious spaces.