Schepen in de haven van Napels 1861 - 1878

Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy created this albumen print of the harbor in Naples sometime in the mid-19th century, a period of great change in photography and maritime technology. The albumen process, invented in 1850, involved coating paper with egg white to create a glossy surface for the photographic emulsion. This labour-intensive process speaks to the growing demand for detailed images, catering to a market eager to consume views of distant lands. Notice the contrast between the sailing ships and steamships. The harbor scene embodies a pivotal moment in history, as sail power gave way to industrial engines. The image encapsulates the labor and global trade facilitated by these vessels. Considering photography alongside maritime history allows us to appreciate the intricate relationship between industrial advancement, cultural consumption, and the aesthetic depiction of labor in 19th-century society, challenging any straightforward distinction between fine art and commercial craft.