Gezicht op de kade van de Arno in Pisa, Italië 1860 - 1881

Giacomo Brogi made this albumen print, "View of the Arno River in Pisa, Italy", sometime in the mid-19th century. With its sepia tones and sharp clarity, the print embodies photography's special capacity to record a scene with incredible detail. Yet, we should remember that photography, even at this early stage, was far from an objective medium. It was part of a deliberate process, involving choices of framing, exposure, and printing techniques. Brogi would have used a large format camera and glass plate negatives to achieve this level of resolution. Each print was made individually. It’s hard to ignore the social and economic context here. The presence of hotels like the "Grand Hotel" and "Hotel Victoria" suggest a city catering to a burgeoning tourist industry. The image speaks to a moment in history when travel was becoming more accessible. Photography played a key role in fueling this phenomenon, capturing iconic views and selling the promise of adventure to a wider audience. By understanding the materials and processes behind this photograph, we see it not just as a record, but as an active participant in shaping perceptions of place and culture.