Gezicht op Genzano di Roma in Italië 1860 - 1900

This photograph of Genzano di Roma in Italy was produced by the firm Anderson. Without a date, it is difficult to know when it was made. However, it’s worth remembering that photography studios like Anderson catered to the burgeoning tourist industry. By the mid-19th century, seeing the world became easier, and studios began to document sites and monuments for travelers. They also helped to shape the experience of travel. Here, we see a picturesque town perched atop a hill reflected in the still waters below. The composition is carefully constructed, giving us a sense of the calm and beauty of the Italian countryside. Yet, this idealized vision of Italy says more about the tourist industry than it does about Italian life at this time. Understanding the institutions that produced and consumed such images helps us understand the photograph in its true social and cultural context.