Gezicht op Napels met de Vesuvius op de achtergrond

About this artwork

Gift of J.W.E. vom Rath, Amsterdam

Art Historical Context

**Gezicht op Napels met deuvius op de achtergrond (View of Naples with Vesuvi in the Background) is captivating albumen print by Sommer, a pioneering German-born photographer active in Italy from 1857 to 1914. Capturing the dramatic Bay of Naples framed by the looming Mount Vesuvius, this 172 × 217 mm photograph evokes the Romantic allure of 19th-century grand tourism. Sommer, based in Naples, specialized in documenting Italy's scenic wonders and ancient sites, making his works prized souvenirs for European travelers. The albumen print medium, introduced in the 1850s, was revolutionary for its time. Coated with egg white for exceptional clarity, tonal depth, and permanence, it allowed photographers like Sommer to produce detailed, richly contrasted images from glass negatives. This technique democratized visual access to distant locales, fueling wanderlust during an era of expanding rail travel and photographic innovation. Generously gifted by J.W.E. vom Rath of Amsterdam, this print highlights the cross-cultural exchange of 19th-century collecting. It not only showcases Vesuvius's enduring mystique—site of the infamous 79 CE eruption that buried Pompeii—but also preserves a vivid snapshot of Naples as a vibrant Mediterranean jewel. A testament to early photography's power to bridge time and place.

About the Artist

Giorgio Sommer · 1834–1914

Giorgio Sommer, born Georg Sommer on September 2, 1834, in Frankfurt am Main within the German Confederation, emerged as one of 19th-century Europe's most prolific photographers. After studying business in his hometown, where his family fortune was reportedly lost to his father's gambling, Sommer apprenticed as a photographer before launching his professional career in Switzerland, producing relie...