Gezicht op de Gran Madre di Dio, de brug Van Vittorio Emanuele en het Monte dei Cappuccini in Turijn c. 1870 - 1885

This sepia-toned photograph shows the Gran Madre di Dio church, Vittorio Emanuele bridge, and Monte dei Cappuccini in Turin. It was made by Giovanni Battista Maggi using photographic processes which were, in their moment, on the cutting edge of technology. The image’s material qualities provide insight into its production. Consider the preparation of the photographic plate, the precise timing of the exposure, and the careful development of the print. These processes involved a specific set of skills and knowledge, setting the photographer apart as a specialist. Photography in this era was not just about capturing a likeness; it was also about asserting a new kind of control over the world. This technology allowed for mass production and distribution, and the creation of a visual archive of modernity. Looking at this photograph, we can appreciate how its meaning is deeply embedded in the materials, labor, and technologies that brought it into being. It challenges our conventional distinction between art and craft, and offers a richer understanding of the history of photography.