Binnenplaats met kloostergang van de Certosa di Pavia before 1882

Alfredo Noack made this albumen print of the Certosa di Pavia monastery near Milan, Italy, sometime in the late 19th century. The image presents the monastery as a cultural institution of great historical value. Noack, based in Genoa, specialized in architectural photography, catering to the growing tourism industry and the Victorian era's fascination with historical sites. His choice of subject matter reflects the broader social and cultural values of the time, where the preservation of historical landmarks was seen as a way to maintain a connection to the past. The Certosa di Pavia itself is an interesting case study in institutional history, as its construction was commissioned by the Visconti family, rulers of Milan, in the late 14th century. To fully understand Noack's photograph, one might delve into archives, architectural records, and travel literature from the period. Such resources can help us understand the significance of the Certosa di Pavia, and the role that photography played in shaping public perceptions of cultural heritage.