Gezicht op de ruïne van het huis van Marco Olconio te Pompeï, Italië 1870 - 1890

This photograph of the ruined House of Marco Olconio in Pompeii was taken by Giorgio Sommer, probably in the 1860s or 70s. Its stark depiction of classical ruins speaks to the nineteenth-century’s fascination with the ancient world. Sommer was German but he established a photography studio in Naples. This was a popular destination for wealthy Europeans on the ‘Grand Tour’, a rite of passage that often included a visit to the ruins of Pompeii, which had been rediscovered in the mid-18th century. The image encapsulates an important moment in the development of cultural tourism. It served a desire for authentic experiences but also created a safe distance from the physical hardship of archaeological exploration. Sommer's photographs were often purchased as souvenirs, a way for tourists to document their travels and display their cultural capital. To fully understand this image, we might research the history of photography as a commercial enterprise. We could also explore how the rediscovery of Pompeii shaped European ideas about art and history. Ultimately, this photograph is a product of its time, reflecting the social and economic forces that shaped both tourism and art.