Gevel van het Palazzo Roverella in Ferrara 1865 - 1900

Fotografia dell'Emilia's photograph captures the facade of Palazzo Roverella in Ferrara, Italy. It is one of many such photographs of Italian monuments that were made and sold as keepsakes, like postcards, for European tourists at the end of the 19th century. The image presents the Renaissance architecture of the palazzo in a straightforward, documentary style. The clean lines and classical proportions reflect the values of the Italian Renaissance, which saw a revival of interest in ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture. In Ferrara, a city-state ruled by the Este family, art and architecture were employed to enhance the prestige of the ruling family. Understanding the photograph requires knowledge of the Palazzo Roverella’s history, as well as the cultural context of 19th-century Italy, the history of photography, and the emerging tourist industry. Examining these kinds of resources offers a richer appreciation of this image and the era that produced it.