Naples From San Martino 1865

Roberto Rive created this albumen print of Naples from San Martino sometime in the mid-19th century. In it, we see a city on the cusp of modernity, its ancient architecture juxtaposed with bustling maritime traffic and the looming presence of Mount Vesuvius. Rive’s choice of vantage point is telling: the San Martino Charterhouse was, at the time, a potent symbol of religious and aristocratic authority. This image then subtly reinforces the power structures of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies. Consider the social conditions that enabled the creation of this photograph: the rise of a wealthy merchant class, the development of photographic technology, and the growth of tourism in Southern Italy. These factors all contributed to the demand for picturesque views like this one, which served as both souvenirs for travelers and status symbols for those who wished to display their connection to the romantic allure of Italy. Understanding this image requires us to delve into the archives, to examine tourist guides, and to trace the networks of patronage that shaped artistic production in 19th-century Naples.