Fontein in de tuinen op de Pincio te Rome, Italië 1857 - 1900

This photograph of a fountain in the Pincio Gardens of Rome was produced by the Alinari Brothers. It's a straightforward albumen print – a process popular in the 19th century, involving coating paper with egg white to create a glossy surface for the photographic emulsion. What I find interesting is the way this medium, with its specific qualities of light and shadow, captures a moment of leisure. The Pincio Gardens, even today, are a place of promenade, a deliberate contrast to the intensity of Rome itself. The fountain, of course, is a focus, offering visual delight and a source of fresh air. The making of this photograph also speaks to the rise of tourism and leisure time, which were enabled by industrial capitalism. Consider the labor involved: from the production of the photographic materials, to the creation and maintenance of the gardens themselves. It's a record of both the physical and social landscape, a testament to the intricate relationship between labor, aesthetics, and the pursuit of pleasure. By considering these contexts, we can see how seemingly straightforward images can reveal complex social histories.