John Ronchi

John Ronchi was born in Rome, Italy in 1870. In his early twenties, he moved to Westminster, London, where he met his soon-to-be wife, Ellen. The image above is a photograph of the two of them, my great-great grandparents circa. 1900!  It was a picture I grew up with and always loved, not just for how smiley my great-great nan looks but for all of the unanswered questions it posed. How did they live? Were they really happy?  
 
 
I heard a few stories of my great-great nan growing up, but John Ronchi always seemed to be more of an elusive figure. With his bowler hat, moustache and fancy suit, I think this photo affirms that he really was quite a character, one that I wish I knew more about. Only adding to this sentiment, the quality of this photo isn't perfect; there are some details lost, in this case, his eyes. The quote “the eyes are the window to the soul” is one I’ve always remembered, and so I always felt this photo was missing such a crucial part of him. 
 
 
So, this project came about! It was born from a desire to portray a time gone but not yet forgotten and a man I’m sure had many stories to tell with a soul to match. My goal was not neccessarily to replicate or decipher what actually existed underneath that shadow but to give him his own story, one to speak for the mysterious life he led.