Gezicht op de Via del Piliero te Napels c. 1850 - 1870

Giorgio Conrad made this stereoscopic photograph of the Via del Piliero in Naples, Italy, in the latter half of the 19th century. The image offers a glimpse into the urban landscape of a bustling port city during a period of significant social and economic change. Photography at this time was rapidly evolving from a niche practice into a popular medium. The stereoscopic format, with its promise of three-dimensional viewing, catered to a growing public appetite for realistic depictions of the world. This photograph’s composition, framing, and the very act of capturing a public space all reflect the values and interests of a society grappling with industrialization and urbanization. To fully understand this image, we might look into the history of Naples, its economic conditions, and the development of its port. Research into the photographic practices and the institutions of art that supported them, will provide further insight. In this way, the historian reveals how a simple photograph can reflect the complex interplay of social, cultural, and technological forces.