Exterieur van de Dom van Pisa c. 1850 - 1880

Editor: This is Enrico van Lint’s “Exterieur van de Dom van Pisa,” dating from around 1850 to 1880. It's a photographic print. I'm struck by how clearly it shows the Cathedral and the Leaning Tower; they seem to have just always been there, like immutable symbols. How do you read this photograph, given its place in history? Curator: This image participates in a powerful cultural moment. Think about the rise of photography as a democratizing force. Suddenly, access to iconic monuments like the Leaning Tower and the Pisa Cathedral wasn't just for the elite traveler or the wealthy patron of the arts. Editor: So photography is shifting who gets to ‘own’ these cultural landmarks, even if only visually? Curator: Exactly! Before, visual representations circulated through paintings or engravings, controlled by specific networks. This photograph makes it mass consumable. Notice its dual form; a stereo card that invites an individual experience of space as if one was there. This creates an intimate connection. Does that change your view of its supposedly neutral depiction? Editor: I see what you mean. The availability creates a relationship, even for someone like me, viewing it now. What strikes me is how quickly these monuments became part of a global image bank. Curator: Precisely! Photography propelled these architectural marvels into a globalized visual language. Consider also how this coincides with Italian unification. This image isn't just of buildings, but a declaration of cultural identity readily available on the burgeoning tourist market. The photo is almost complicit in building the idea of "Italy" for a global audience. Editor: Wow, I never considered the political aspect so directly, or the element of ‘image building.’ That really reframes how I see the work. Curator: Indeed. These early photographs are not simply records, but active participants in shaping our understanding of culture, history, and national identity. Editor: I’ll definitely look at photographs from this era with new eyes!