Tibereiland en San Bartolomeo (?) c. 1880 - 1895

This is an albumen print of Tiber Island and San Bartolomeo in Rome, created by Fratelli Alinari. Operating during a pivotal time in Italian history, Fratelli Alinari documented Italy's urban landscape, contributing to the construction of national identity through visual representation. This image captures a serene yet subtly politicized view of Rome, where the Tiber Island stands as a silent witness to the city's transformations. The choice to focus on the island, with its religious and historical architecture, frames the spiritual and temporal layers of Roman identity. The composition evokes a sense of timelessness, yet invites reflection on the dynamic processes of cultural memory and historical interpretation. Fratelli Alinari's work serves not only as documentation but as an interpretation of Italian heritage, resonating with ongoing dialogues about place, identity, and the politics of representation. It invites us to consider how images participate in shaping our understanding of history.