Pope Paul VI by Lothar Wolleh (1975)

The photograph in question, titled “Pope Paul VI,” was captured by the artist Lothar Wolleh in the year 1975. It is a striking image featuring multiple exposures that create an almost kaleidoscopic effect of the Pope and his surroundings.

In the photograph, we see numerous repeated images of a figure dressed in liturgical garments, including a mitre (the traditional, ceremonial head-dress of bishops and popes), wielding a ferula (a ceremonial staff that signifies authority). The repetition creates a dynamic, somewhat disorienting visual experience that conveys movement and the passage of time. The central figure, ostensibly Pope Paul VI, appears solemn and composed amidst the flurry of his overlapping images. This artistic choice by Wolleh might be interpreted as depicting the enduring spiritual and institutional presence of the papacy, or it could be seen as a reflection on the ritual and ceremony associated with the Catholic Church. The rich colors and textures present in the photograph contribute to its dramatic and commanding presence.

Other Photographs from Lothar Wolleh

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