Gezicht op Napels (de wijk Vomero?) met een pijnboom op de voorgrond c. 1880 - 1895

This photograph of Naples, including the Vomero district, was taken by the Alinari Brothers. While the date of the work is unknown, we can be sure that it was made using a photographic process which, by its very nature, links art to modes of production. During the 19th century, photography emerged as a powerful tool for documentation and, ultimately, art. This image, with its precise detail and carefully composed scene, shows the capacity of the medium to capture the world with unprecedented accuracy. Yet, like all forms of making, photography is also subject to the conditions of its creation. The Alinari Brothers were pioneers in photography, and their work reflects both the technological advancements of their time and the social context in which they operated. They sold many photographs as souvenirs, which involved a great deal of labor. As you consider this image, reflect on the ways in which photography reshaped our understanding of art, and the complex relationship between artistic vision, technological innovation, and mass production.