Opgravingen van Pompeï c. 1870 - 1900

Curator: This photograph, taken between 1870 and 1900 by Giorgio Sommer, depicts the excavations at Pompeii. Editor: The immediate impression is one of profound silence, of stopped time. The framing, using the archway, gives an incredible sense of depth, drawing the eye far into the distance. Curator: Precisely. The use of the gelatin-silver print enhances the contrast, delineating the sharp angles of the architecture against the softer, more distant forms. Look at how the cobblestone street leads the eye back, intersected by the rhythmic pillars of the colonnade. Editor: The arch, particularly, speaks to cultural memory. It isn’t just structure; it's a symbolic gateway to a vanished world, a potent reminder of civilization's fragility. And in the background, the mountain—an ever-present, almost looming threat. Curator: The photographer clearly plays with perspective and light, positioning us as almost unwilling witnesses. Observe how the shadow cast by the arch partially obscures our view. This creates tension between what is visible and what is hidden, compelling a more active engagement with the ruin. Editor: Absolutely. Pompeii itself has become a lasting symbol of hubris and the overwhelming power of nature, but it’s also about what’s remembered, and how we grapple with remnants of past trauma. These archaeological digs also marked the beginning of our modern world’s collective awareness of impermanence. Curator: Furthermore, the photographer captures the brutal geometry of this ancient cityscape through a meticulously arranged composition—the stark verticals of the columns, contrasted with the sweeping curve of the arch. A perfect visual harmony expressing ruin and form. Editor: It truly does invite a somber meditation. Looking closely at the way Sommer frames Pompeii is looking into an abyss of both what was, and perhaps, what could be. The picture itself then is about witnessing as much as it is about documentation.