Gezicht op Vietri aan de Golf van Salerno 1864 - 1881

Giacomo Brogi made this photograph of Vietri on the Gulf of Salerno in Italy, using the wet collodion process, sometime in the mid-to-late 19th century. This photographic technique, requiring a portable darkroom for on-site development, was popular among artists and commercial photographers alike, especially in documenting landscapes and architecture. In Italy, photography played a role in shaping national identity and collective memory, especially after its unification in 1861. Images like this helped define the country’s rich cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes. Brogi's work captured the essence of Italian life and scenery, contributing to a sense of national pride and attracting tourists eager to experience the beauty depicted in these photographs. The social conditions that shaped Brogi’s artistic production were deeply intertwined with Italy's economic and political transformations. By examining photographs like this, along with other documents and studies of the period, we gain insights into the complex interplay between art, society, and institutional power.