Gezicht op het Comomeer vanuit Villa Serbelloni 1870 - 1880

Carlo Bosetti captured this view of Lake Como from Villa Serbelloni in a sepia-toned photograph, and while the date is unknown, we can consider the cultural context of nineteenth-century European landscape photography. During this period, photography was integral to shaping perceptions of nature and national identity. Here, Bosetti presents an idealized vision of the Italian landscape, emphasizing its picturesque qualities. The lake, framed by lush vegetation and classical architecture, evokes a sense of tranquility and timelessness. The choice of sepia tones lends the image a nostalgic quality, romanticizing the scene. This aesthetic appealed to the sensibilities of the European middle class. Bosetti’s photograph invites us to reflect on the ways in which landscapes are not merely natural but are constructed through cultural and artistic lenses, shaping our understanding of place and identity. There is no doubt this idyllic photograph served as a popular memento for the middle class tourist.