Gezicht vanaf het Janiculum in Rome 1862 - 1876

Editor: Here we have a fascinating 19th-century photograph, “View from the Janiculum in Rome,” taken between 1862 and 1876 by Jean Andrieu. Looking at this cityscape, I am immediately struck by the sheer density of the buildings, the monochrome, and how this image must have represented modernity. What catches your eye when you view it? Curator: You know, I am taken back by this photo's capture of Rome— it makes me reflect on my own visits. Imagine being alive then, holding that image in your hand, what did Andrieu want to show by this technique? Maybe Andrieu was playing with the whole Grand Tour concept of people looking for beautiful pictures of cities like postcards? And Rome then, on the cusp of massive change! But look again: Are we really seeing "Rome," or more an idea of it? It's sepia-toned, a picture made to look old, or maybe, like ancient Rome in our minds? Editor: It feels like he's trying to document a definitive version of Rome but perhaps also to construct one. This idea makes me think, why did he decide to present this particular point of view from Janiculum? Curator: Maybe he considered how painting changed when people could take photographs, or, on the contrary, photographs that attempted to replicate the effects of painting at that moment. So, that begs another question: Are photographs even able to grasp a city, the real thing and not the symbolic ideal? How does this all come together for you, now? Editor: It’s interesting to consider what the image does versus what it shows. Now I see it captures more than just a physical space – it reveals Andrieu’s own relationship with Rome and history through the choice of image making and perspective.