Façade van het Ca' Sagredo te Venetië, Italië c. 1854 - 1875

This photograph of the Ca' Sagredo in Venice was taken by Carlo Ponti, sometime in the late 19th century. It's made through a process called albumen printing, where a paper base is coated with egg white and then photosensitized. What interests me most about this image is the way it captures the palace's facade, emphasizing its materiality and craftsmanship. Look closely, and you can see the textures of the stone, the intricate carvings around the windows, and the overall weight of the structure. Venice, of course, has always been a place defined by its trades, with specialized labor needed for the maintenance of its structures. This image gives us a glimpse into that world, showing the architecture as the product of many hands. By focusing on the materials and the making, we can see how this photograph does more than just represent a building; it shows us a social context, a place where labor and skill shaped the environment. The photograph reminds us of the value of craft in fine art.