Vrouwen en kinderen in een steeg op Capri c. 1860 - 1890

Giorgio Sommer created this photograph, 'Women and children in an alley in Capri,' in the 19th century. The composition is structured around the stark contrast between light and shadow, guiding the viewer's gaze down the narrow alleyway. The high walls create a sense of enclosure, focusing attention on the figures within. The texture of the stone and plaster is palpable, adding a tactile dimension to the visual experience. Sommer's perspective draws the eye to the vanishing point, where the alley opens to reveal a distant palm tree. The photograph’s formal qualities evoke a sense of both intimacy and distance. The women and children are positioned within this architectural framework, their presence underscoring the social dynamics of the space. The composition invites us to consider how space and perspective can shape our understanding. This photograph operates within a semiotic system where the alley represents confinement. The figures, meanwhile, represent life, and the distant palm signifies escape. The image destabilizes conventional notions of perspective, challenging us to interpret the cultural codes embedded within its visual structure.