2522 Vesuvio Ferrovia funicolare c. 1893 - 1903

This photograph, taken by Giorgio Sommer, shows the Vesuvio Funicolare, or cable car, in Italy. The photograph itself, a silver gelatin print, is a product of industrial processes. Yet, this particular image is evocative not only in its rendering of the landscape, but in the representation of labor, engineering, and tourism. The railway, snaking its way up the volcanic mountain, is a powerful symbol of human intervention in the natural world. Consider also the manpower required to build and maintain such a structure. The funicular becomes a metaphor for the industrial age, where nature is not only a source of awe, but also a resource to be exploited for recreation and monetary gain. The photograph isn’t just an image; it's a cultural artifact that ties together technology, tourism, and the transformative power of industrial progress.