Basilica 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have Giorgio Sommer's photograph, "Basilica," from the 19th or 20th century, made using the albumen print process. The photograph has a desolate feel to it, which gives it a melancholic appeal. What do you make of this photograph? Curator: Considering the albumen print and the Basilica, we're peering into a world shaped by archaeological fervor and a burgeoning tourist industry. Sommer was making and selling these images during a time when access to archaeological sites was limited. His photographs shaped the public's perception of the ancient world. How do you think the distribution of these photographs affected archaeological interpretation and understanding in academic circles, and broader popular culture? Editor: I hadn’t thought of the role photographs play in scholarship. How accurate were the pictures, in their presentation of ancient sites? Were they touched up? Curator: That’s a very insightful question. Often, the picturesque took precedence over the purely documentary. Sommer and others sometimes staged their photographs to enhance the romanticism or grandeur of the ruins. Understanding this informs our view about authenticity and photographic representation in constructing narratives of the past. Editor: So, the photos are staged... meaning people consume the images, without knowing they've been altered. It really shapes cultural opinion on the spot itself, for sure. I wonder about today's pictures and what that means, with programs that modify images on the spot! Curator: Indeed. Think about the cultural impact of photographic manipulation, even in the age of instant sharing, particularly in constructing narratives and influencing collective memory. Thanks for sharing that, the photograph takes on new weight. Editor: Agreed. It's all about the influence an image has. This was definitely insightful.