Rome_ The Market on Piazza Navona c. 1862

Giorgio Sommer made this photograph of the market on Piazza Navona in Rome sometime in the mid- to late-nineteenth century. It's a fascinating image because it brings together the spheres of commerce, tourism and civic life, all framed by the enduring presence of the Church. The photograph offers us a glimpse into the daily life of Rome during a period of significant social and political transformation. The unification of Italy in 1871 brought modernization and urbanization, yet here we see a traditional market scene unfolding in a grand, Baroque square. Sommer’s image prompts us to consider the contrasts between the timeless beauty of Rome's architecture and the messy realities of urban life. By looking at this photograph in the context of nineteenth-century Italian history, urban studies, and the history of photography, we might better understand how Piazza Navona has served as a stage for the ongoing drama of Roman life.