Gezicht op de restanten van het aquaduct van Claudius en de Via Appia nabij Rome, Italië 1857 - 1900

This albumen print of the Roman aqueduct and Via Appia was made by the Alinari brothers, pioneers in Italian photography. The image is rooted in a specific process. The albumen print, popular in the 19th century, involved coating paper with egg white to create a smooth surface for the photographic emulsion. This painstaking process speaks to the era's meticulous approach to image-making, and to the labour involved in creating a single photograph. The sepia tones we see are inherent to the chemical reactions taking place on the paper's surface, giving the image its distinctive warmth and nostalgic feel. The choice of subject is telling. By documenting the aqueduct and the ancient Roman road, the Alinari brothers situated themselves within a tradition of image-making. In doing so, this print creates a tangible link to the past, inviting viewers to consider the layers of history embedded within the Italian landscape. Understanding its materials, making, and historical context is crucial to fully appreciate its meaning.