Vijver met obelisk in de tuin van de Villa Pallavicini in Pegli c. 1870 - 1890

Curator: There's something so dreamlike about this photograph. It almost feels like a scene from a play. Editor: Indeed. What we have here is an albumen print dating from around 1870 to 1890 by Celestino Degoix. It’s titled “Vijver met obelisk in de tuin van de Villa Pallavicini in Pegli”—which translates to “Pond with obelisk in the garden of the Villa Pallavicini in Pegli.” Curator: Villa Pallavicini… Pegli... The name itself just whispers of old world elegance. But, it’s the pond's still surface, mirroring the obelisk and surrounding trees, that truly captivates me. It's a study in contrasts, isn’t it? This artificial, man-made structure juxtaposed against nature’s organic sprawl. Editor: Precisely. And this garden—really a carefully constructed landscape—is very much a product of its time. Such curated natural settings reflected the owner's power, wealth, and cultural sophistication. The obelisk itself speaks of imperial ambition, doesn't it? Its form echoes ancient Egypt. Curator: But its reflection? Well, that’s where things get really interesting. It's as if the artist is inviting us to ponder what’s real and what’s simply an illusion. Is the true subject the solid obelisk or its ghostly twin shimmering in the water? Editor: That duality speaks to the function of photography in that era. It claimed to present a truthful record, while, of course, shaping and framing the world according to certain tastes. Degoix wasn’t merely documenting the scene; he was selling an idea of refined Italian leisure and beauty to a buying public. Curator: The technical quality is astonishing as well. Look at how sharply defined the vegetation is, with so many subtle tones and colors. I almost feel like I could reach out and touch those leaves! Editor: Yes, albumen printing could yield astonishing detail. The process really enabled these photographs to serve as both documents and desirable objects in their own right. Curator: This has really captured my imagination. The romantic mystery of the pond with the obelisk...It stays with you. Editor: Absolutely. It invites reflection on how environments reflect our ideals and histories—an interesting convergence of history and art.