Agrigento_ Temple of Juno and Lacinia Giroenti, No. 1347 c. 1870 - 1880

Giorgio Sommer made this albumen print of the Temple of Juno in Agrigento, Italy, sometime in the mid-19th century. The image invites us to consider the intertwined relationship between cultural heritage, photography, and the burgeoning tourism industry of that era. Sommer, a German photographer based in Naples, capitalized on the growing interest in classical antiquity, producing images like this for a primarily foreign audience eager to possess visual souvenirs of their travels. Note how the figures are posed in the foreground, providing a sense of scale and human presence amidst the ruins. This was a common practice, emphasizing the photographer's ability to capture not just the monument but also the experience of encountering it. We can understand this photograph as more than just a record; it's a carefully constructed representation of a specific cultural moment. To delve deeper, one might research the Grand Tour phenomenon, the history of photography in Italy, or the archaeological discoveries that fueled this fascination with the past. By exploring these avenues, we gain a richer understanding of the photograph's significance and its place within a complex web of social and institutional forces.