Gezicht op het eiland Nisida in de baai van Napels 1860 - 1889

Roberto Rive captured this view of the island Nisida in the bay of Naples with photography during a time of great social change in Italy. As Italy moved towards unification, photography played a crucial role in shaping national identity and documenting its cultural heritage. This photograph shows a seemingly serene scene, but consider the figures in the foreground. Who are these people? Are they simply enjoying the view, or are they part of the laboring class who supported the burgeoning tourism industry? The composition invites us to reflect on the relationship between the land, its people, and the external gaze that seeks to capture and consume its beauty. Rive’s photograph subtly hints at the complex dynamics of labor, leisure, and representation, prompting us to consider whose stories are being told and whose are left out of the frame.