On May 28, 1898, in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin, Secondo Pia worked late into the night around a 4.42-meter-long yellowed linen cloth. A Turin lawyer and official photographer of the exhibition organized for the cathedral’s anniversary, he took photographs of the Holy Shroud. What he later discovered, when developing his glass plates at home, catapulted the shroud into another dimension: that of public mystery, between fervor, suspicion, and fascination.
The sacred art exhibition attracted thousands of pilgrims, difficult to manage. After closing the doors, the Guarini Chapel emptied. Secondo Pia, responsible for the official photographs, entered with cumbersome equipment: incandescent lamps, a portable generator, photographic plates…. At that time, photography was not an instant process, and exposures took minutes. Nevertheless, he managed to eliminate reflections despite the glass plate protecting the fabric.
At 11 p.m., a first photo was taken (14 minutes of exposure), followed by a second one (20 minutes). The real turning point did not happen in the cathedral but in the darkness of a darkroom. Under red light, the negative revealed unexpected features: a swollen face, closed eyes, beard, medium-length hair, crown of thorns…. The image closely resembled traditional depictions of Christ. Secondo Pia was left stunned.
The next day, the plate was shown to the public, illuminated from the back. Astoundingly, what was barely visible on the fabric became readable through photography. Newspapers published the photos, curiosity grew, debates ensued. For some, the discovery seemed like proof. For others, it only reinforced the idea of a contested relic. One thing was certain: the Holy Shroud had just entered the modern era, where an image could turn a cult object into a burning issue.
Context: The article discusses the discovery and controversies surrounding the Holy Shroud of Turin. Fact Check: The Holy Shroud of Turin is a 14-foot-long linen cloth bearing the imprints of a man who appears to have suffered crucifixion. It is believed by some to be the burial shroud of Jesus Christ.
