Gezicht op Luzern en de Pilatusberg c. 1880 - 1910

Giorgio Sommer made this albumen print of 'View of Lucerne and Mount Pilatus' sometime in the late 19th century, a period marked by significant shifts in European society and culture. Sommer, an Italian photographer who operated primarily in Naples, captured this Swiss landscape, likely catering to the burgeoning tourism industry. The image presents an ordered, almost serene view of Lucerne, set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Pilatus. This framing subtly highlights the 19th-century European fascination with both natural grandeur and urban development. As photography became more accessible, it played a crucial role in shaping perceptions of different places and cultures. Sommer’s composition reflects the aesthetic values of his time, emphasizing picturesque beauty and the harmony between nature and human settlement. Yet, it’s important to remember that such images often presented a curated view, obscuring the complex social realities of the places they depicted. This photograph invites us to consider how landscapes are not merely neutral spaces, but are imbued with cultural meanings and historical narratives.