Gezicht op Rio dei Carmini te Venetië before 1879

Antonio Perini produced this stereo card of Venice in the mid-19th century using an albumen print. The photograph presents us with a seemingly objective view of the Rio dei Carmini, a canal lined with weathered buildings and a small bridge in the distance. But the image is far from neutral. During this period, Venice became a popular destination for European and American tourists, who sought out romantic visions of the city’s past. Photography, a relatively new medium, played a crucial role in shaping these perceptions. Studios like Perini’s mass-produced images that catered to the tourist market, reinforcing idealized views of Venice as a timeless and picturesque locale. This imagery often overlooked the city's social and economic realities, focusing instead on its architectural beauty and historical charm. To fully understand this photograph, we must consider its place within the history of tourism, the development of photography as a commercial art form, and the ways in which Venice itself was being transformed into a commodity. By consulting archives, travel guides, and period accounts, we can better understand the complex social and institutional forces that shaped this seemingly simple image.