Gezicht op de nieuwe haven van Genua met in het midden een opleidingsschip van de Scuola Officina di Redenzione sul mare c. 1870 - 1890

Editor: This is a photograph taken by Alfredo Noack around 1870-1890, showing the new harbor of Genoa with a training ship. It has such a quiet, reflective mood to it. The sepia tones make it seem almost dreamlike. What do you see in this piece, beyond just the surface of a harbor scene? Curator: You know, for me, looking at this, it’s like stumbling upon a memory, not my own, but one inherited, maybe from a distant ancestor who once dreamed of sailing. The Scuola Officina di Redenzione sul mare...it sounds almost poetic, doesn't it? School of Redemption on the Sea. Think of the hopes and anxieties of those young sailors on that ship, the dreams of far-off lands mingling with the harsh realities of maritime life. Do you think that knowing its Genoa alters how we respond? Editor: Definitely. There’s something inherently romantic about Genoa. That detail makes it all come alive. It does make you think about individual lives amidst this big harbor. So, would it have been considered a documentary photograph then or something else? Curator: Ah, that's the fascinating tension, isn't it? It’s documenting a reality – the new harbor, the training ship – yet filtered through Noack's lens, literally and figuratively. It transcends mere reportage. It's about capturing a specific atmosphere, a moment in time, a whisper of human ambition against the vastness of the sea. It's also so visibly an art of the time and its limitations. Look at those soft edges around the edges of the frame. You almost expect the sea to be breathing around it, you know? Editor: Yes, that’s it exactly. The ‘breathing’ quality makes it so immersive. Curator: Exactly! That breath is time moving, carrying that boat. So thanks for making me breathe it too. Editor: And thank you, as well!