Monreale_ Panoramic View before 1886

Giorgio Sommer created this albumen print titled 'Monreale, Panoramic View' sometime in the mid-19th century, offering us a glimpse into Sicilian life through the lens of early photography. The image presents Monreale with its architecture and landscape. It subtly reflects the social structures of its time, particularly in the context of Sicily's complex history involving shifting powers. The presence of figures amidst the landscape suggests an interplay between human life and the environment, hinting at social interactions within the urban space. Understanding Sommer's photograph requires looking into historical archives, travel literature, and photographic studies of the period. These resources help contextualize the image within broader social, economic, and political narratives, revealing how photography played a role in shaping perceptions of place and culture. In this way we might consider how Sommer's artistic choices have influenced the institutions of art and the viewers of today.