Gezicht op een Romeinse tunnel in Piedigrotta in Napels c. 1860 - 1880

Giorgio Sommer’s stereoscopic photograph presents a symmetrical composition which invites the eye to travel through the dark tunnel in Piedigrotta, Naples. The muted sepia tones lend a timeless quality, while the stereoscopic format creates a pronounced sense of depth. The photograph's structural organization uses the tunnel as a central vanishing point. Vegetation clings to the rugged walls on either side, softening the architectural severity. This play between nature and structure highlights a core semiotic tension. The tunnel, a symbol of human engineering, is gradually being reclaimed by natural elements, destabilizing the idea of permanent human control over the landscape. Sommer's work invites a broader reflection on how we perceive and interact with historical spaces. The tunnel functions not merely as a passage but as a profound interplay of light, shadow, and form that challenges fixed meanings.