Ruïne van het Huis van de Faun te Pompeï, Italië 1857 - 1875

Giorgio Sommer made this photograph of the Ruin of the House of the Faun in Pompeii, Italy, sometime in the 19th century. The sepia tones of this albumen print give a feeling of antiquity. The image captures the aftermath of destruction, contrasting sharply with the original craftsmanship of the House. Think of the labor involved in creating this once-opulent Roman villa. The stone columns, the mosaic floors, the intricate frescoes – all speak to the hands that shaped them. It is thought that at the time of the Vesuvius eruption, this house was owned by a Roman family, while it has also been proposed that it was a brothel or a trading center. Sommer's photograph immortalizes this moment in time, inviting us to contemplate the labor and artistry lost to the ravages of time. It reminds us that even in ruins, the echoes of craftsmanship and human endeavor persist.