Exterieur van de Basilica Santa Croce en het standbeeld van Dante Alighieri te Florence, Italië 1865 - 1900

This photograph captures the Basilica Santa Croce and the statue of Dante Alighieri in Florence. It was made using the albumen print process, a popular photographic technique in the 19th century. The image is created by coating paper with albumen, or egg white, and then sensitizing it with silver nitrate. This process results in a smooth surface that allows for a high level of detail, as you can see in the intricate details of the Basilica's facade. The warm brown tone is characteristic of albumen prints, which is a direct result of the materials used and the way the silver particles react during development. What's fascinating is that photography at this time relied as much on chemistry and craft as it did on artistic vision. Each print was essentially handmade, reflecting a hybrid of scientific process and artistic sensibility. The act of taking a photograph becomes just as crucial as the image it represents. This piece encourages us to consider how materials, making, and context all contribute to the rich meaning of an artwork.