Gezicht op Marina Piccola te Capri, Italië 1857 - 1914

Giorgio Sommer made this albumen print of Marina Piccola in Capri, Italy. The image presents a romantic view of a coastal town nestled beneath a mountain, a scene that catered to the burgeoning tourist industry of the late 19th century. Sommer, operating primarily in Italy, was deeply embedded in this commercial context, selling picturesque views to travelers eager to capture their experiences. The photograph's composition, with its careful arrangement of buildings, boats, and natural elements, evokes a sense of idyllic harmony. But what was life actually like for the people living there? Sommer's lens invites us to consider the social and economic realities behind the postcard-perfect facade. How did the rise of tourism affect the local economy? Were there tensions between the visitors and the residents? To fully understand this image, we might turn to travelogues, economic data, and social histories of the period. Only then can we appreciate the complex interplay between art, commerce, and social life in 19th-century Italy.