Graftombe in de San Marco in Venetië before 1885

This photograph of a tomb in San Marco, Venice, was taken by Carl Heinrich Jacobi, sometime in the 19th century. It's a stark reminder that even today, photography is materially based. The scene itself is awash with costly material. The tomb, with its carved stone surfaces, speaks to the traditions of masonry, stonecutting and sculpture, each craft demanding specific tools, knowledge, and skill. Marble was prized in Venice for its beauty and durability, and its sourcing, transportation, and carving would have involved a range of specialist laborers. The painted decoration above, likely fresco, demanded an equal level of practiced hand. Consider the labor-intensive processes, the skilled individuals involved, and the historical and cultural significance embedded in every layer of material and making. In this photo, Jacobi captures not just an image, but also the physical and social processes behind this monumental tomb.