Napels gezien vanaf zee c. 1870 - 1900

Curator: Ah, another captivating glimpse into the past. This is Giorgio Sommer's "Naples Seen from the Sea," a photograph taken sometime between 1870 and 1900. Editor: There's something about the stillness, despite it depicting a bustling city, that grabs me. A hazy, almost dreamlike quality. The monochrome adds a timeless layer, doesn’t it? Curator: Absolutely. Sommer was a master of capturing the atmosphere of a place. The perspective, framed from the water, speaks to the city's role as a vital port and a nexus of cultural exchange, shaping not only commerce but also visual perceptions of Italy. Editor: It definitely makes you consider who is being prioritized and highlighted through these viewpoints. Did Sommer aim to romanticize the location, catering to wealthy tourists, or was it meant to document and show its everyday people? Curator: The commodification of "Naples" as an identity certainly needs consideration. Remember that imagery was not democratized yet, these photographic views played a pivotal role in shaping a collective imagination about Italy for largely privileged viewers. Editor: Speaking of imagery, the rowboat front and center—it feels almost symbolic, maybe about journeys and how everyday people move around this major city and its large landscape. Curator: Indeed. This focus is significant, subtly placing ordinary lives against the backdrop of the grand cityscape. Sommer allows us to consider the inhabitants experience. Editor: What do you think about the choice to flatten the image to a monochrome picture? Do you find it’s effective in setting this certain tone of the work? Curator: The absence of color invites interpretation, allowing the texture and architectural grandeur of Naples to take center stage. And in that context, this choice to use monochrome seems extremely powerful. Editor: It’s funny to think that this particular shot probably sold to people interested in buying in to this constructed, but not entirely incorrect, depiction of the old city. Overall, a really beautiful photo! Curator: Exactly, the intersection between documentation and aspiration is really evident. Sommer gives us the means to ponder the city's allure throughout history.