Kliffen van Sorrento 1861 - 1878

This stereoscopic image of the Cliffs of Sorrento was captured by Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy sometime in the mid-19th century. The advent of photography during this period offered new perspectives on travel and documentation. Images like this one weren't just records; they helped shape cultural perceptions and romanticized ideals of different places. Lamy, as a photographer, played a role in constructing these images, framing Italy through his lens for consumption by tourists, and the upper classes, who often sought out these views as emblems of their travels. The sepia tones and the very composition evoke a certain nostalgia, a longing for the picturesque, hinting at a bygone era when travel was a privilege and encountering such landscapes was a transformative experience. The image not only captures a physical place but also reflects the desires and aspirations of a society in transition, grappling with new technologies and expanding horizons.