Unexpected photographs

It can happen that a photograph can reveal much more than just the depicted subject.

Through photographs, our researchers are also able to study clothing, the shape of certain liturgical vestments, elements that can often also help to date a photograph with no caption or indication of when it was taken.

Often the unwitting photographer has imprinted curious details on the film that have little to do with the moment or the context he was interested in but which tell us about the historical period.

In one of the photos that accompanies today’s column, we see a procession in the foreground, among those parading is Fr. Giuseppe Groppelli, the photograph is in fact kept in his personal file, while in the background the words ‘W Coppi’ are clearly visible.

The photograph is not dated, it certainly dates from between the second half of the 1940s and the 1950s, the famous champion would in fact have died in 1960.

It was most probably taken in 1953, the year of the political elections.

Coppi, a famous cyclist and winner of numerous prizes, was very popular and appreciated in Italy, so much so that his name was stamped on walls and signs of the streets he would ride through during cycling races.

Also visible on the same wall are the symbols of two of the most popular parties in Italy at the time – the hammer and sickle of the Communist Party and the crusader shield of the Christian Democrats.

In another photograph intended to immortalise the posters relating to World Mission Day, those of ‘Nutella’ were also immortalised.

Maria Macchi