Cà d'Oro, Venetië c. 1880 - 1895

This photograph of the Ca' d'Oro in Venice was made by Fratelli Alinari sometime in the late 19th century. It shows the palace from across the Grand Canal, allowing us to appreciate its elaborate gothic facade. Venice was a popular subject for photographers at this time, as the city's unique architecture and atmosphere evoked a sense of romantic history. But this was also a period of significant social and political change, as Venice became part of a unified Italy and began to modernize. The photograph invites us to consider how Venice was adapting to these changes. Was it preserving its past, or embracing the future? Photographs like this one can also tell us about the history of art and its institutions. Tourism was booming in the 19th century, and photographs of famous landmarks like the Ca' d'Oro were popular souvenirs. By studying the archives of Alinari, we can learn more about the production and consumption of art in this period, and understand the social forces that shaped our understanding of Venice.