Tempio di Mercurio 19th-20th century

This albumen print of the Tempio di Mercurio was made by Giorgio Sommer sometime in the late 19th century. Sommer was one of many photographers who capitalized on the ruins of Pompeii as a popular tourist destination. The albumen process involved coating paper with egg white and silver nitrate, creating a light-sensitive surface. This meticulous process yielded photographs of incredible detail. Notice how the textured surfaces of the ancient stones and the artifacts scattered around the site are rendered with clarity. Photography in the 19th century was a labor-intensive craft. Each print required careful preparation and precise timing. While cameras made images quickly, the photographer’s hand was essential in bringing the image to life. Consider the amount of work involved, from quarrying the stone used to build the temple, to Sommer’s careful work behind the camera, the image invites us to reflect on the relationship between labor, time, and the enduring power of material culture.