Gezicht op het Palazzo Riccardi te Florence c. 1865 - 1900

This photograph of the Palazzo Riccardi in Florence was created by the Fratelli Alinari. Photography in the 19th century was deeply entangled with power, representation, and the gaze. This image is more than a mere recording; it's a carefully constructed narrative. The Palazzo, a symbol of wealth and power, is presented with a stark objectivity. Consider how photography at this time was used to document and categorize the world, often reinforcing existing social hierarchies. The Alinari brothers, as photographers, were part of this process, shaping perceptions of Italian culture and identity. This image invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in image-making, and how it can reflect societal values and norms. What stories does it tell, and whose voices are amplified or silenced in the process?