Gezicht op de industriehaven van Genua, gezien vanaf Villa Rosazza 1858 - 1893

Alfredo Noack captured this view of the industrial harbor of Genoa using a photographic process that was itself a product of industry. Consider the materiality of this image. The sepia tones are a direct result of the chemical reactions on the photographic plate, permanently fixing a moment in time. The sharpness of detail, capturing the textures of brick, water, and sailcloth, speaks to the meticulous chemistry involved and the skilled labor required to produce such an image. Noack’s choice of vantage point, overlooking the scene from the Villa Rosazza, subtly highlights the social divisions of the era. While the villa represents leisure and privilege, the harbor below is a hive of activity related to labor and trade. The ships, trains, and factories are all elements of a rapidly industrializing world, powered by human effort. By focusing on the means of production inherent in both the scene and the image itself, we can see how photography, like other crafts, is deeply intertwined with the social and economic forces of its time.