Loggia dei Lanzi te Florence c. 1880 - 1895

This photograph of the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence was created by the Fratelli Alinari. The Alinari brothers built a photography empire in Italy during a time of great social and political change. Photographs like this one catered to European and American tourists eager to possess views of Italy’s artistic and architectural treasures. The Loggia, built in the 14th century, became a stage for sculptures that often alluded to Florence’s political ambitions. Yet, this image is more than a simple record; it’s a carefully constructed narrative. The sharp focus on the Loggia, with its array of classical sculptures, invites a contemplation of power and civic identity. The image invites us to consider whose stories are told through art and architecture and whose are left out. This photograph is a fascinating document of cultural tourism and the selective framing of history.