Gezicht op het Piazza dell' Erbe in Verona c. 1860 - 1880

This stereograph by Giorgio Sommer captures the Piazza dell' Erbe in Verona. Executed with a keen eye for structure, the photograph presents a symmetrical arrangement, bisected by a central vanishing point that draws the eye deep into the urban space. Sommer’s formal choice emphasizes the architecture of the piazza, with its buildings framing the open market. This evokes a sense of order and containment. The stereoscopic format enhances this effect by creating depth and a more tangible sense of space. This allows viewers to experience a structured and immersive urban environment. The sepia tones and the texture of the photograph add a layer of historical distance. This transforms the contemporary marketplace into a study of form and space, typical of nineteenth-century urban photography. It asks us to consider how the medium of photography can shape our perception of space, reducing a bustling marketplace to a set of formal relationships.