Untitled (Trees in Rome) c. 1857

Robert MacPherson made this photograph, "Untitled (Trees in Rome)," using an albumen silver print. Active in Italy during a period of significant cultural and political change, MacPherson was one of the first photographers to extensively document Roman architecture and landscapes. The sepia tones and soft focus lend the trees a timeless, almost dreamlike quality. But beyond the aesthetic, consider what it meant to capture Rome's landscapes during the Risorgimento, a time when Italy was fighting for unification. MacPherson, a Scottish protestant in a Catholic country, through his photography, engaged with themes of identity and belonging amidst these broader political shifts. These trees are not mere botanical specimens. Instead, they become symbolic representations of resilience, rootedness, and the enduring spirit of a city undergoing transformation. They invite us to reflect on our own connections to place and history.