Gezicht over het San Marcoplein, de San Marco en de campanile, Italië 1857 - 1882

Carlo Naya captured this photographic print of the San Marco Square in Venice using albumen silver print. The composition centres on the Campanile, framed by an archway, creating a dialogue between the foreground and background. This juxtaposition invites us to consider the spatial relationships and how they structure our perception. The sepia tones evoke a sense of nostalgia, while the contrast highlights the architectural details. Structurally, the photograph employs a play of geometric forms and textures. The archway's smooth curves contrast with the sharp, vertical lines of the Campanile, and the domes of the Basilica. This interplay establishes a semiotic relationship. The archway and tower symbolize containment and aspiration. Through Naya's lens, the cultural monument is not merely depicted; it is restructured into a visual language that questions the fixity of historical meanings, inviting a re-evaluation of Venice’s spatial and cultural identity.