1187 Napoli c. 1893 - 1903

This albumen silver print, titled ‘1187 Napoli’, was made by Giorgio Sommer, an Italian photographer of German origin, sometime in the 19th century. Sommer's photograph freezes a moment in the daily life of Naples: a timeless scene of labor and living. Laundry hangs suspended between buildings, each piece a testament to the work of cleaning and care. The buildings themselves are weathered, their facades bearing witness to decades of human activity. Look closely, and you'll notice the intimate details of everyday life – the shutters, the potted plants, and people gathered below. Sommer, through his photographic practice, elevates the mundane to the monumental, inviting us to consider the intricate interplay between labor, place, and the human spirit. He blurs the boundaries between documentation and artistry. His photograph provides a window into the social realities of 19th-century Naples, revealing the beauty and dignity found in ordinary life.