Marktplein te Napels, bij de Porta Capuana, Italië 1852 - 1890

This photograph, “Marktplatz in Neapel, bei der Porta Capuana, Italien,” was created by Fratelli Alinari. It captures a marketplace in Naples, Italy. The photograph is dominated by a symmetrical composition, with architectural elements framing the bustling market scene. The Porta Capuana, a historical gate, stands prominently, anchoring the space. Its structure, along with the surrounding buildings, uses linear perspective that recedes into the background. Light and shadow play to create depth and texture. The sepia tone washes the photograph with a sense of nostalgia, altering our perception of the architectural structure and creating an almost dreamlike ambiance. While appearing to capture a moment in time, the photograph is also a construction. The Alinari brothers used a particular lens, angle, and lighting to convey a vision of Naples. By doing this, they invite us to consider how images mediate our understanding of place and history.