Sculptuur van Julia Titi in de Vaticaanse Musea c. 1860 - 1880

This stereocard of a sculpture of Julia Titi in the Vatican Museums was made by Giorgio Sommer, around the 1860s. Sommer was one of many photographers who profited from the Grand Tour phenomenon, where wealthy Europeans travelled to see and acquire cultural treasures. The photograph itself is significant. Back then, it took specialized knowledge, expensive equipment, and the labour of skilled technicians. The process influenced its appearance; the sepia tones and the high contrast give it a classical feel, echoing the sculpture it depicts. Consider the social context: these images allowed people to take home a piece of the Grand Tour experience, without commissioning artwork or visiting the locations themselves. This demonstrates how photography democratized art appreciation. Ultimately, this stereo card challenges the hierarchy between art and craft, and invites us to consider the relationship between material, making, and context in our understanding of art.