Gezicht op het Castello Aragonese bij Ischia c. 1860 - 1880

Sommer and Behles made this stereoscopic photograph of the Castello Aragonese, near Ischia, Italy. The popularity of stereo cards in the second half of the nineteenth century reveals a growing cultural fascination with accurate, three-dimensional representations. This desire was fueled by the rise of scientific positivism, influencing the production and consumption of art. As photography became more widespread, its role within the art world shifted. Rather than competing with painting directly, photography carved out its own niche, often serving as a tool for documentation. Here, the choice to capture the Castello Aragonese speaks to the burgeoning tourist industry, framing the location as a site of leisure and cultural consumption. The photograph flattens any social reality beyond this. By examining such images, historians can trace the intersections of art, technology, and commerce. In doing so, we better understand the complex forces shaping artistic production and reception.