11626 Napoli c. 1893 - 1903

This photograph, taken by Giorgio Sommer in Naples, shows a street scene, likely made with a large format camera and glass plate negatives. In the mid-19th century, photography was a relatively new medium, but the materials and techniques were already well established. The process involved coating a glass plate with a light-sensitive emulsion, exposing it in the camera, and then developing it in a darkroom. Sommer was one of many photographers who documented the everyday life of ordinary people. This image offers a glimpse into the lives of working-class Neapolitans. The women in the foreground are engaged in piecework, likely for the garment industry, while the men in the background appear to be involved in commerce. Sommer's photograph is a reminder of the labor and craftsmanship that underpins even the simplest of images. By considering the materials, processes, and social context of the work, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance, and challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.