Gezicht op de kust bij Amalfi, gezien vanaf een voormalig kapucijnerklooster 1861 - 1878

This stereoscopic photograph captures a view of the Amalfi coast, taken by Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy. The composition is dominated by the diagonal thrust of the mountainous coastline, leading the eye towards the cluster of buildings perched atop. The subdued tones and sharp contrasts give a sense of depth, drawing the viewer into the scene. The photograph’s structure invites analysis through the lens of semiotics. The figure in the foreground serves as a signifier of human presence, contrasting with the monumental architecture of the Capuchin monastery. The coastline, a natural formation, is transformed by the artist's framing into a structured landscape, reflecting a human desire to categorize and understand the natural world. The interplay of light and shadow and the composition of the landscape into defined layers encourages us to decode the visual elements as signs, each contributing to a complex cultural and philosophical dialogue about humanity's place within the landscape.