People dressed in Sicilian costume 1899

Giuseppe Bruno made this photograph in the late 19th century, documenting people dressed in traditional Sicilian costume. The photographic process itself would have involved carefully controlled chemistry, and darkroom expertise. But consider also the clothing featured in this image. These garments represent a whole tradition of textile production – from the cultivation of flax or raising of sheep, through the spinning of yarn, the weaving of cloth, and the cutting and sewing of the final product. Much of this work would have been done by hand, at a considerable cost of time and labor. The embroidered details on some of the clothing, made with careful stitching, adds further value. Therefore, this photograph is not just a record of Sicilian dress, but also a document of craft and the value of handmade things. By recognizing the labor and skill embedded in these garments, we can appreciate the lives and traditions of the people depicted here. It reminds us that clothing is not merely a commodity, but also a carrier of cultural identity.