Antique photography gift book from the Duomo di Milano Cathedral in Milan, Italy. Good, structurally solid condition. The paper cover has small tears and the edges have wear, especially on the bottom of the cover. The book has a strong thread binding and the covers are made from textured handmade paper. On the pictorial cover is an art reprint by Italian Artist Paolo (Paul) Sala of light beaming into the interior of a Gothic Church. Inside there are 16 stunning, black & white large photographs in and around the Cathedral, each separated by tissue guards. Each photograph is approximately 9.5 inches long by 6.25 inches wide. The book itself measures 13.5 inches long x 9.5 inches wide. This item is considered to be in good used condition or better. 2ndChapter Treasures does not professionally grade items and we will intentionally select the lowest grade, so please see the images of the actual item above for a better idea of the condition. All pictures provided are considered to be a critical part of this item description. Please always take the time to view, expand and inspect every photo for condition quality and judge for yourself and send a message with any questions.
Milan Cathedral, or Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary, is the cathedral church of Milan, Lombardy, Italy. Dedicated to the Nativity of St. Mary, it is the seat of the Archbishop of Milan.
Paolo Sala, born in Milan in 1859 to a noble family from Brianza. He first studied architecture at the Brera Academy at the behest of his father who had a construction company; later as a student of Camillo Boito, he began to paint historical subjects first and then landscapes. Paolo Sala is in fact considered one of the greatest exponents of landscape painting of his time. He exhibited in many Italian cities, including Milan, Venice, Naples, Rome and participated in events and exhibitions in many European cities such as Paris, Berlin and London. Thanks to his many trips abroad, to Russia, Holland and South America, he earned fame and important contracts. In Russia in particular he entered into the good graces of the Tsar and received many commissions and assignments, participating in particular in the decoration of the Tsar's Winter Palace and the decoration of the Imperial Conservatory of St. Petersburg. In Russia, Paolo Sala obtained the chair of painting at the Moscow Academy, held many exhibitions and chose to donate a good part of his earnings to help the most destitute Russian painters. In 1911, in Milan, he laid the foundations of the Lombard Watercolorists Group, of which he took the role of president; watercolor was in fact his favorite technique, with which he created many paintings of Venetian scenes, landscapes and portraits, but he also skillfully used pastel and oil. Paolo Sala died in Milan in 1924.