Milan: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, ca. 1868 – 1873

Blatt: 24.0 x 18.2 cm
Karton: 38.0 x 30.9 cm

Physical Description: Albumen print mounted on cardboard

Inventory Number: St.F.1015

Acquisition: Ancient holdings. Acquired in the 19th century

Status: On display, Department of Prints and Drawings Exhibition Gallery

Texts

About the Work

The shopping mall erected in Milan between 1865 and 1867 inspired praise from the author of Baedeker’s Handbook for Travellers (1870): “Among Europe’s glass arcades, this is the most beautiful and magnificent by far.” Giorgio Sommer captured the prestigious edifice in a single shot. On the one hand the angle of view emphasizes the longitudinal axis connecting the Piazza della Scala and the Piazza del Duomo. On the other hand, the choice of a vantage point to the left of the centre enables the onlooker to appreciate the richly ornamented arcades. Sommer moreover made use of the light entering from above to bring out the delicate structure of the architecture.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: Milan: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Photographer

Giorgio Sommer

Period Produced

19th century

School

Object Type

photograph

Physical Description: Albumen print mounted on cardboard

Material

Technique

albumen print

Label at the Time of Manufacture: Bezeichnet recto unten links auf der Fotografie: Druckschriftzeile: No. 1931. Galleria V.E. (Milano)
Bezeichnet recto unten rechts auf dem Trägerkarton: Blindstempel: GIORGIO SOMMER; STUDIO MONTE DI DIO 4.; MAGAZZINO S. CATERINA 5.; NAPOLI

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Administration

Photographic Collection

Collection

Städelsches Kunstinstitut

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Acquisition: Ancient holdings. Acquired in the 19th century

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

Main Motif

Associated Persons and Institutions

Medial Picture Elements

Raffaele Casnedi: Amerika, 1865-1867, ehemals Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II., Original verschollen (1910 abgenommen und durch Mosaiken ersetzt).

Iconclass

Primary

48C1 architecture
61D(ITALIA) geographical names of countries, regions, mountains, rivers, etc. (ITALIA) (ITALIA)
61E(MILANO) names of cities and villages (MILANO)
41AA1 civic architecture; edifices; dwellings - AA - civic architecture: inside
31D14 adult man