Twee foto's van de tempel van Athena in Paestum 1950

Editor: This is "Twee foto's van de tempel van Athena in Paestum," two photographs of the Temple of Athena in Paestum, taken around 1950 by Norbert van den Berg. They are simple black and white prints, capturing these ruins. I'm struck by how the photographs, despite being relatively recent, frame the temples as ancient and monumental. What strikes you about this pairing of photographs? Curator: The interesting thing for me is thinking about the photographer’s choice to capture these particular views, and for what audience. In 1950, travel to Italy, and documenting the grand tour locations were increasingly accessible, shifting away from the realm of wealthy elites. How does van den Berg’s photography reflect that democratization of travel and image-making? Editor: That’s a good point. So it's less about discovery, and more about almost like, a photographic souvenir for a burgeoning middle class engaging with classical culture. Do you see that impacting the style in any way? Curator: Absolutely. Notice how the classical architectural forms are presented almost didactically, these temples, once sites of ritual and civic life, become spectacles of history for a tourist audience, their meaning mediated through the lens of post-war Europe, their ruins speaking to ideas about cultural resilience or the ravages of time, all framed for the visitor's gaze. Editor: It is interesting how something as seemingly simple as vacation photos can tell a much richer story about society, access to culture, and the evolving perception of history itself. Thanks. Curator: Indeed. Photography, like all art, carries within it the social context of its making.