Gezicht op de Santa Maria Novella en twee obelisken in Florence before 1871

Giacomo Brogi made this photograph of the Santa Maria Novella in Florence in the late 19th century. It’s part of an album titled "Ricordo di Firenze," or "Memories of Florence," reflecting the rise of tourism at this time. Brogi’s image captures the church's facade alongside one of the two obelisks that stand in the piazza. Renaissance architecture is juxtaposed with an ancient Egyptian monument, and this pairing speaks to the cultural aspirations of the era. Florence was a city seeking to establish its place in a lineage of powerful empires. Consider the role of photography in shaping perceptions of Florence and the power dynamics inherent in how the city was represented. Photographic albums like these catered to a growing tourist industry that sought to consume and possess images of iconic landmarks. By studying photographs like this alongside guidebooks, maps, and travelogues, we can reveal the complex social and economic forces that shaped the cultural landscape.