View Of The Cathedral 

Roberto Rive captured this 'View of the Cathedral' in Palermo using the photographic methods of his time. The sepia tones and clarity are characteristic of early photographic processes, most likely collodion or albumen prints. These methods demanded precision, patience, and expertise in chemistry and optics. The final product, like this image, was the result of skillful manipulation of materials and technologies. The photograph's surface texture, its tonal range, and even its vulnerability to light and environmental factors, tell stories about the social context in which it was made. Photography in the mid-19th century was not only a technical feat but a means of documentation and dissemination of images. The photograph collapses the boundaries between art and craft, between documentation and artistic expression, inviting us to consider the social impact of new technologies on our understanding of the world.