Capri 19th-20th century

Giorgio Sommer made this photograph of Capri sometime in the mid-19th century. This was a time when photography was becoming increasingly popular as a way to document the world. Sommer's image captures the picturesque quality of the Italian island of Capri, with its whitewashed buildings nestled into the hillside. Yet, it also participates in a broader visual culture that was in part shaped by the rise of tourism and the establishment of photography studios catering to wealthy visitors. Note the local inhabitants in the foreground. Their inclusion in the photograph speaks to the way that the lives of ordinary people were being framed and consumed within the emerging tourist economy. Understanding this image requires us to consider the social conditions that shaped its production and reception. We might look to period guidebooks and travel accounts, or delve into the history of photography as a commercial enterprise. These avenues can reveal the complex ways in which art reflects and shapes our understanding of the world.