Ruïne van de Casa di Tiberio / Casa di Livia, Monte Palatino c. 1880 - 1895

This photograph shows the ruins of the Casa di Tiberio on Monte Palatino, and was produced by Fratelli Alinari. The image itself, a silver gelatin print, is a testament to a moment in the history of photography. The processes of development and printing, each with its own material alchemy, are critical to the photograph's aesthetic. Consider too the social context in which it was made. In the nineteenth century, photography played a crucial role in documenting historical sites such as these Roman ruins. The Fratelli Alinari studio produced countless images for tourists and scholars, transforming monuments into commodities. The photograph collapses time, connecting the ancient Roman world with the burgeoning modern era of mass reproduction. Recognizing the labor involved in the photographic process, the skilled technicians and artisans who developed and printed these images, gives us a fuller appreciation of its value. The photograph serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between materials, making, and context.