Amongst a collection of old Blantyre photographs shared to me by Alex Bowie, was this one. I always want to add more detail to anything passed to me, but held off posting about this, as I can’t quite find a Blantyre connection.
It’s an old stereoscopic photograph (a type of 3D image popular in the 19th century) showing a bas-relief sculpture titled “Calvary, by Eroli”. Having researched this a little, it was exhibited at the International Exhibition of 1862 in London, a major world’s fair showcasing art, industry, and culture from around the globe. The scene depicts Jesus Christ carrying the cross to Calvary, a classic religious subject showing the suffering and compassion surrounding the Crucifixion story.
The sculptor is “Eroli” — likely a reference to an Italian artist (possibly Francesco Eroli, though he is now quite obscure).
So, why would this be in amongst Blantyre negative plates and photographed sometime between 1895 and 1910? It could have just been something the photographer wanted to capture out of his own interest, but there could also have been some possible indirect connection?
During the Victorian era, religious art like this was extremely influential in shaping church decoration and religious education.. The photographer David Ritchie who amassed a collection of early photos of Blantyre was indeed a religious person, part of the Livingstone Memorial Church and in the 1890’s, renovation work was being undertaken in several churches in Blantyre.
Additionally, some residents of early Blantyre, especially wealthier or more well-travelled citizens (of which there were several families in the larger grand estate houses), would have been very aware of major exhibitions like the International Exhibition of 1862. It’s very possible that individuals from Blantyre visited that Exhibition (as excursions to London for events were common for clubs, academics, and religious groups).
It’s all a stretch with no real connection jumping out. The photographer could simply have been ‘testing’ the camera and development process?! So for now, why this photo is amongst this collection, will remain a mystery.