Piazza dell' Erbe c. 1880 - 1895

This photograph of Piazza dell'Erbe in Verona was captured by Fratelli Alinari, a studio which played a vital role in documenting Italian art and architecture, and in shaping perceptions of Italian identity. Here, the market is captured bustling with activity under a sea of parasols. It’s easy to imagine the voices, the smells, the intensity of commerce and social life. The Alinari brothers were active during a time of significant political and social change in Italy, including the period of Italian unification. Their work contributes to a broader understanding of Italy's cultural heritage, and the construction of a unified national identity. Photographs like this one often presented idealized or romanticized visions of Italian life, and they carefully composed scenes that reinforced certain narratives about Italian culture and history. It prompts us to consider whose stories were being told, and how class distinctions might have been intentionally blurred or erased in these representations. By focusing on the everyday life of the piazza, Fratelli Alinari invite viewers to engage with a particular vision of Italian identity, one rooted in commerce, community, and the enduring legacy of the past.