View of the San Francesco di Paola in Naples with Hotel du Plebiscite on the right 1860

This albumen print of the San Francesco di Paola in Naples, with the Hotel du Plebiscite, was created by Roberto Rive, a photographer active in Naples in the second half of the 19th century. The photograph’s composition is dominated by the play of horizontal and vertical lines, where the colonnades form a rhythmically repetitive façade. The image, sepia toned, conveys a sense of classical order and balance. The building's architecture creates a dialogue between mass and space, as the solidity of the structure is softened by the openness of the colonnades. Rive has framed the scene using the central perspective to emphasize the architectural elements, reducing the role of the surrounding environment. The people in the square, though small, provide a sense of scale, inviting the viewer into the scene. This careful framing invites the viewer to contemplate the building’s design within the urban fabric. By employing classical forms in photographic media, Rive not only documents but also interprets the architectural space as a cultural signifier. The photograph thus becomes an exercise in seeing and understanding the interplay between form, space, and historical context.