Gezicht op Bologna, Italië 1865 - 1907

Fotografia dell'Emilia's 'Gezicht op Bologna, Italië' is a window into the past, created through the then-innovative process of photography. The image is printed on paper, an everyday material, yet the photographic process transforms it into a valuable cultural record. The sepia tones and the texture of the print influence the appearance of the photograph, lending it an antique quality. Back then, photography required a great deal of technical skill and chemical knowledge. The photographer had to understand the properties of light, optics, and chemistry to capture and develop the image. The act of taking this photo involved labor: setting up equipment, calculating exposure times, developing the print. Beyond aesthetics, the image is also an artifact, and photographic printing one of the new industries of that era. The consumption of images became a widespread phenomenon, thus democratizing visual art. By considering the materials, processes, and social context of this photograph, we gain a deeper appreciation for its historical and cultural significance.