Stoomschip nabij Palermo 1860 - 1900

Giuseppe Incorpora, a Sicilian photographer, captured this albumen print titled 'Stoomschip nabij Palermo.' Incorpora lived through a period of significant social and political change in Italy, including the unification in 1861, which deeply shaped Sicilian identity. Photography at this time, especially in Sicily, served as both documentation and a powerful medium for constructing regional identity. This photograph of a steamship near Palermo should be seen as a symbol of progress. However, progress often came at a cost, particularly for marginalized communities. The advent of new technologies and industries frequently led to the displacement of traditional ways of life and the exploitation of labor. As you look at this image, consider the complex layers of history, progress, and identity interwoven within it. Think about whose stories are told and whose are left out. Notice how Incorpora navigates this duality by presenting a grand symbol of modernity against the backdrop of Palermo's timeless landscape.