Anfiteatro 19th-20th century

Giorgio Sommer made this albumen silver print of the Anfiteatro in Pompeii sometime between 1857 and 1898. Sommer, a German photographer based in Italy, catered to the burgeoning tourist industry, capturing views of ancient ruins like this one. Consider what it meant to document these sites during a time of intense colonial expansion and archaeological exploration. Sommer's photographs contributed to a romantic vision of the past, one which often overlooked the labor and violence inherent in ancient societies. The amphitheater, once a site of public spectacle and social control, is presented here as a picturesque ruin. Think about the power dynamics at play: who had access to these images, and what narratives did they reinforce about civilization and progress? As we gaze at this image, let’s consider how photography can both reveal and obscure the complex layers of history.