Fontein en bomen bij de Villa Borghese c. 1880 - 1895

This photograph, ‘Fontein en bomen bij de Villa Borghese,’ was made by Fratelli Alinari using the 19th-century albumen print process. A thin coating of egg white with salts is applied to paper, creating a light-sensitive surface, allowing for the capture of intricate detail with subtle tonal variations. What I find fascinating is how the albumen print transformed the way landscapes were recorded and consumed. This image of the Villa Borghese freezes a moment in time, yet its creation involved considerable labor. The Alinari brothers operated a large studio, employing skilled photographers, printers, and technicians. Each print required careful preparation, exposure, and development, reflecting a complex interplay of artistic skill and industrial production. The photograph's surface has a unique sheen, a testament to the albumen binder. The tonal range, from deep shadows to delicate highlights, captures the texture of the trees and the play of light on the fountain. This reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images are the result of skilled craft and a tangible connection to labor.