Gezicht op het Lago Maggiore en het Isolino di San Giovanni c. 1870 - 1890

This photograph, depicting Lago Maggiore and Isolino di San Giovanni, was captured by Alfredo Noack, an Italian photographer of German origin active in the latter half of the 19th century. Noack's work provides a window into the landscapes and societies shaped by the burgeoning tourism industry in Italy. Here, the sepia tones evoke a sense of nostalgia, characteristic of the romanticized views favored by European travelers. There’s a tension here - on one hand the photograph serves as a seemingly objective document, and on the other, as a curated experience. The scene almost feels staged to meet the expectations of its viewers, reflecting the tastes of the upper class and the growing industry of tourism. Noack doesn't just capture a place; he packages a destination, framing the natural beauty of Lago Maggiore through a lens of privilege. The photograph invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in the act of viewing and owning an image.