Tempel van Minerva te Rome, Italië 1857 - 1865

This albumen silver print, “Tempel van Minerva te Rome, Italië,” was created by Altobelli & Molins, between 1858 and 1865. It captures a moment in the complicated relationship between ancient history and modern life. During this period, photography emerged as a powerful tool for both documentation and artistic expression, particularly in capturing the grandeur of classical ruins. Altobelli & Molins, like many photographers of their time, capitalized on the burgeoning tourism industry, offering views of iconic sites to a public eager to connect with the past. But what does it mean when a temple to Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, becomes a backdrop for the mundane? The temple, once a site of religious and civic importance, is juxtaposed with a sign that says 'FORNO' above a door. The photograph invites us to consider how the past is continuously re-purposed to serve contemporary needs. While the image romanticizes the past, it doesn’t shy away from depicting its modern context. It’s a poignant reminder of how time reshapes meaning, and how we, as viewers, participate in that ever-evolving narrative.