Fontein met mozaïeken in Pompeï c. 1860 - 1900

Roberto Rive captured this albumen print of a fountain with mosaics in Pompeii sometime in the mid-19th century. Rive was part of a generation of photographers who documented the archaeological discoveries in Italy, framing ancient artifacts for a modern audience hungry for glimpses into the past. This image isn't just a record; it's an interpretation. Photography at this time was as much about artistry as it was about documentation. Rive carefully composes the photograph to highlight the fountain's intricate mosaics, inviting us to marvel at the craftsmanship of a bygone era. Consider the labor that went into creating both the original fountain and Rive’s photograph. From the artisans who meticulously placed each tessera in the mosaic, to the photographer maneuvering bulky equipment to capture the image. Whose stories are told, and whose remain unseen? What does it mean to preserve and present the vestiges of a long lost world?