(La bella Napoli) Harbour of Lacco Ameno (Ischia, Italy) 1893

Christian Wilhelm Allers created this black and white drawing of the Harbour of Lacco Ameno in Ischia, Italy. Allers, who lived from 1857 to 1915, was working during a time of great social and economic change across Europe. In his works, Allers aimed to capture the landscapes, cultures and daily life of different places. This drawing encapsulates a specific moment, freezing the scene, and making it available for consumption by a primarily European audience. This interest in travel, and how it becomes intertwined with identity, can be viewed within a historical context of growing global interactions, where tourism, trade, and colonialism shaped the artist's perspective. The calm, still boats on the shore might evoke an air of quiet rest for us, yet we should ask, whose labor sustains this tranquil scene?