Italy
AA-2026-894CEC
On the image
A statue of a bearded man in a heavy monk's robe stands in an architectural niche, hands clasped, rosary beads prominently displayed. This was how cultures, for centuries, attempted to immortalise the virtues they admired, hoping perhaps that proximity to carved stone would somehow rub off on the populace.
The inscription "BEATO BERNARDO DA OFFIDA" identifies him as a figure officially recognised for exceptional piety. It signifies a long-standing system where certain individuals were elevated, their lives providing a blueprint for spiritual aspiration, even as most people in the 1970s were probably more focused on disco.
The entire display, with its intricate stone details and solemn posture, serves as a permanent, silent reminder of a past era's priorities. It calmly observed the changing decades, impervious to the trends of polyester or bell-bottoms.
The historian's note
This image, captured in the 1970s, depicts a statue of Beato Bernardo da Offida, or Blessed Bernard of Offida. Born Domenico Peroni in Offida, Italy, in 1604, he became a Capuchin friar known for his humility, charity, and devout life.
He was beatified by Pope Pius VI on 19 May 1795. Statues such as this are commonly found adorning churches and religious sites, particularly in Italy, commemorating figures significant to the Catholic faith.
The artwork represents an important part of Catholic devotional art and a historical record of venerated figures, reflecting cultural and religious practices that spanned centuries.
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Blessed Bernard of Offida Statue, Italy, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-894CEC. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/blessed-bernard-of-offida-statue-italy-1970s.
@misc{aaAA2026894CEC,
title = {Blessed Bernard of Offida Statue, Italy, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-894CEC},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/blessed-bernard-of-offida-statue-italy-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Blessed Bernard of Offida Statue, Italy, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-894CEC UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/blessed-bernard-of-offida-statue-italy-1970s ER -
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