Restanten van gebouwen aan de Strada della Abondanza in Pompeï c. 1860 - 1900

Giorgio Sommer made this photograph of the remains of buildings on the Strada della Abondanza in Pompeii. It’s a stark image of a once-bustling street, frozen in time after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Sommer, working in Italy during the late 19th century, capitalized on the burgeoning interest in classical antiquity. Pompeii, rediscovered in the 18th century, became a key site for archaeological exploration and a popular destination for tourists eager to witness the remnants of Roman life. This photograph, with its meticulous detail and stark realism, caters to that fascination. But it also subtly reflects the power dynamics inherent in archaeological endeavors, revealing more about the 19th century gaze than ancient Roman life. To truly understand such images, we need to consult archaeological reports, travelogues, and photographic inventories. These sources help us understand the social, cultural, and institutional contexts that shaped both the creation and interpretation of works like Sommer's photograph.