Gezicht op het Dogepaleis, de Campanile en omliggende gebouwen in Venetië met op de voorgrond een gondel c. 1860 - 1890

This albumen print shows the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile, and surrounding buildings in Venice with a gondola in the foreground. Giorgio Sommer, based in Italy, made this photograph sometime in the late 19th century. In this period, Venice was a popular destination for wealthy tourists, seeking romantic views and historical sites. Sommer catered to this market, producing numerous images of Venetian landmarks. The gondola, prominently featured, was more than just a mode of transport; it was a symbol of Venetian identity and a crucial part of the tourist experience. The city itself, while superficially unchanged, was undergoing significant social and economic shifts. Once a powerful independent republic, by this time it was part of a newly unified Italy. Its traditional industries were declining, and it relied increasingly on tourism. The historian's role is to look beyond the surface and ask what this image tells us about the society that produced and consumed it. Researching tourist guides, economic data, and social histories can reveal deeper meanings embedded in this seemingly straightforward view.