Sorrento c. 1888 - 1903

This albumen print, titled ‘Sorrento’, was created by Giorgio Sommer, an Italian photographer of German origin, sometime in the mid-19th century. It captures the picturesque coastal town of Sorrento, perched dramatically atop cliffs overlooking the sea. Sommer's photographs often catered to the burgeoning tourism industry, offering idealized views of Italy's landscapes and cultural landmarks. However, beneath the surface of this serene vista lie complex issues of class and privilege. Consider the hotels nestled along the cliffside, catering to wealthy travelers seeking leisure and escape, while the local population likely faced economic hardship and limited access to such luxuries. The photograph invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in the act of looking, and the ways in which representations of place can both celebrate and obscure the realities of lived experience. It makes me think, who is this photograph really for?