Restanten van de Tempel van Augustus (Pantheon) in Pompeï - Giorgio Sommer

A nineteenth-century albumen silver print by Giorgio Sommer documenting the ruins of the Temple of Augustus in Pompeii.

This albumen silver print by Giorgio Sommer captures the remains of the Temple of Augustus, often referred to as the Pantheon, within the archaeological site of Pompeii. Sommer, a German photographer based in Naples, operated one of the most prolific studios in Italy during the late nineteenth century. His work provided European audiences with a visual record of Italian antiquities, contributing to the era's fascination with classical history and the Grand Tour.

The composition focuses on the base of the structure, where the remnants of columns form a circular arrangement against the backdrop of the temple walls. The photograph documents the state of the ruins following excavations, showing the weathered stone and the surrounding gravel ground. The clarity of the print allows for an examination of the masonry and the spatial layout of the site. Sommer utilised the albumen process, which was standard for the period, to achieve a tonal range that captures the textures of the ancient volcanic stone and the stark light of the Italian sun.

As a commercial photographer, Sommer produced these images for sale to tourists and collectors. His documentation of Pompeii remains a resource for understanding the site as it appeared in the decades following the initial major excavations. The image retains its original mount, which includes the photographer's catalogue number, 5314, and the title, Tempio del Panteon (Pompei). This print offers a direct view of the site, free from the romanticised interpretations often found in earlier paintings or engravings of the same subject. It provides a factual record of the archaeological conditions of the time, reflecting the objective approach common in nineteenth-century topographical photography.