Teatro Greco 19th-20th century

Giorgio Sommer captured this photograph of the Teatro Greco, likely in the 1860s, using the albumen print process. This image invites us to consider the burgeoning tourism industry in Italy during the 19th century, and how photography played a role in shaping perceptions of classical antiquity. Sommer, a German photographer based in Naples, capitalized on the demand for picturesque views of historical sites like Pompeii and the Greek theater in Taormina, Sicily. The photograph itself emphasizes the theater's grandeur and timelessness, but also subtly hints at its state of ruin. This aestheticization of decay was very popular among European and American travelers, who sought to connect with the past through tangible remains. To fully understand this image, we might delve into travel guides, tourist accounts, and the history of archaeological excavations in Italy. By examining these resources, we can gain a deeper understanding of how culture and commerce intersected in the creation and consumption of images like this one.