Gondels in het Canal Grande te Venetië 1860 - 1870

This silver gelatin print shows the Canal Grande in Venice. It was created by Paolo Salviati, who was active in Venice as a photographer. The photograph is of the Canal Grande, and captures gondolas as symbols of Venice. They appear both as modes of transport and objects of leisure, reflecting the social and economic structures of the city at the time. The gondola represents a specific identity. On the one hand, gondolas are a mode of transport for Venetians. But, also, the gondola and the gondolier are racialized and gendered. Gondoliers are typically men, and this profession has historically been dominated by Italian men. Simultaneously, they are providing a service, most often, to wealthy Western tourists. In these dynamics, we can see the intersections of identity, labor, and tourism. Ultimately, the photograph invites us to consider not only the beauty of Venice, but also the complex social dynamics that shape its cultural identity.