Gezicht op een baai van Capri c. 1860 - 1890

Giorgio Sommer made this photograph of a bay in Capri in the mid-19th century, using an albumen silver print. The appeal of albumen printing lay in its ability to produce highly detailed images with a wide tonal range. A photographer would coat paper with albumen from eggs and then sensitize it with silver nitrate. The paper would then be exposed to light through a negative, creating a positive image. This process, while capable of producing stunning results, demanded considerable skill and resources. Sommer's choice of medium reflects the growing commercialization of photography, and the image captures a moment in Capri's development as a tourist destination. The photograph invites us to consider how images can shape our understanding of place, and how even seemingly straightforward landscapes are imbued with layers of cultural and economic meaning. It underscores the importance of recognizing the labor, materials, and social context that underpin every work of art.