Gezicht op Posillipo, Italië 1856 - 1914

Giorgio Sommer captured this view of Posillipo in Italy with photography, a fairly new medium at the time. The enduring symbol here is the castle, firmly planted between the land and sea. It echoes the ancient Roman fortresses, structures built to dominate and defend. The castle is not merely a building; it's a powerful symbol of control and fortification. We can trace this motif back through history, from the ziggurats of Mesopotamia to the medieval keeps of Europe. Each culture imbues these structures with their own values and fears. The placement of the castle is particularly fascinating, acting as a sentinel mediating between the known world of the land and the unpredictable realm of the sea. Consider how our collective memory shapes our perception. The castle evokes feelings of security but also isolation. It is this duality that engages us, tapping into deep-seated psychological associations with protection and imprisonment. The image pulls us in, inviting us to reflect on the cyclical nature of power and vulnerability.