Gezicht op de restanten van Pompeï met op de voorgrond een afgietsel van een slachtoffer van de vulkaanuitbarsting c. 1860 - 1900

Giorgio Sommer created this photograph of Pompeii with a cast of a victim in the foreground some time between 1834 and 1914. The photograph is defined by its stark tonal range, and the composition is arranged into distinct horizontal layers. The foreground features a textured, death cast set against the smooth surface, while the midground shows the fragmented ruins of Pompeii. The eye is drawn upwards to the imposing silhouette of Mount Vesuvius in the background. The rough texture of the cast and the ruins contrasts sharply with the crisp, clean lines of the frame, creating a visual tension. Semiotically, the photograph functions as a signifier of loss and preservation. The formal juxtaposition of nature and human tragedy invites us to consider themes of time, memory, and the fragility of human existence. It's a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature and the enduring impact on human history.