The Colosseum 1856

This albumen silver print of the Colosseum was taken by Jane Martha St. John in the mid-19th century, a period when photography was emerging as both an artistic medium and a tool for documentation. Consider St. John's position as a woman artist during this time. Photography allowed her entry into the art world, which was quite male-dominated, although she may have still been excluded from certain exhibition spaces. It is interesting to consider how her perspective as a woman might have influenced her approach to documenting historical landmarks. This piece captures the Colosseum not just as an architectural marvel but also as a site laden with histories of violence, power, and spectacle. St. John encourages an exploration of the past and raises questions about how we engage with history today.