Paleis van Caserta 1865 - 1888

Editor: So, here we have Giorgio Sommer's "Palazzo di Caserta," taken sometime between 1865 and 1888, an albumen print now at the Rijksmuseum. It’s… imposing, isn't it? A real statement of power. But what strikes me most is how static it feels. What do you see in this piece? Curator: That stillness, I think, comes from Sommer's adherence to Neoclassical ideals – a conscious revival of ancient Roman grandeur. Look at the building's severe symmetry and repetitive forms; these aren't merely architectural details but symbols. Sommer understood how potent such imagery could be, recalling a specific idea of empire and order. Does the photo hint at what that means? Editor: Well, it makes me think of authority and maybe permanence. That calculated order is quite different from the chaotic sprawl of modern cities, right? Curator: Precisely. Consider how architectural photography in the 19th century, particularly of such historically charged structures, served to legitimize present-day power structures by linking them visually to past empires. It’s a deliberate invocation. And that's intensified through the dark colour and lack of movement. What could these evoke? Editor: Now I see it. A deliberate message embedded in what seems like a simple photograph. Maybe…a sense of unyielding force, of an institution set in stone. Curator: Exactly. Sommer's not just capturing a building; he's capturing an idea, solidifying its presence, its cultural memory, in the collective consciousness. Photography becomes a powerful tool in shaping and reinforcing ideology. It's incredible when we realize how symbols continue to be used today. Editor: It really is. I’ll never look at architectural photography the same way again. Thank you!