Gezicht op Sestri Ponente vanaf Villa Raggio c. 1860 - 1890

Alfredo Noack made this albumen print of Sestri Ponente from Villa Raggio, Italy. The image encapsulates a particular social moment in Italy. The late 19th century was a time of rapid industrialization, and this photograph reflects the aspirations and anxieties of that era. The wealthy elite, represented by the Villa Raggio, are set apart from the industrialized town. The very act of photographing and circulating such images also speaks to the rise of mass media. We can consider the role of photography as an institution. Was Noack commissioned for this image? Was it intended to promote tourism, or celebrate industrialization? Examining archives, newspapers, and other period documents, we can uncover the social, cultural, and institutional forces that shaped Noack's work. We come to see art's meaning as contingent on its context, rather than as a timeless statement.