Amalfi c. 19th century

Giorgio Sommer created this photograph of the cloister of the Capuchin monastery in Amalfi during the 19th century, a period marked by significant shifts in social structures and class dynamics across Europe. Sommer, a German photographer working in Italy, catered to the burgeoning tourist industry, framing historical and cultural sites through his lens. This image, with its stark contrast and classical architectural motifs, evokes a sense of timelessness, yet it also subtly reflects the power dynamics of the era. Monasteries, historically centers of knowledge and influence, were also entangled with the complexities of wealth and poverty. The Capuchins, known for their commitment to poverty and service to the poor, presents a layered narrative when viewed through the lens of social reform movements gaining momentum at the time. Sommer's photograph, while seemingly a straightforward depiction of architecture, invites us to consider the intertwined histories of faith, class, and representation.