Pompeii: Cast of a Human Victim, Sommer & Behles, Giorgio Sommer, Edmondo Behles
Sommer & Behles, Giorgio Sommer, Edmondo Behles
Pompeii: Cast of a Human Victim
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Sommer & Behles
Giorgio Sommer
Edmondo Behles

Pompeii: Cast of a Human Victim, ca. 1863


Blatt
18.0 x 23.7 cm
Karton
24.6 x 31.7 cm
Physical Description
Albumen print mounted on cardboard
Acquisition
Acquired in 1864 as a gift from Julius Ziegler.
Status
On display, Department of Prints and Drawings Exhibition Gallery

Texts

About the Work

In 1863, on the grounds of ancient Pompeii, the city destroyed by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, the archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli came across valuable relics that bore witness to a tragic fate. During the excavations, cavities had been discovered beneath a layer of hardened ash. Fiorelli had them filled with plaster—and unearthed casts of human victims of the natural disaster in the throes of death. Giorgio Sommer was one of the few photographers to have the privilege of documenting the finds on commission from the excavation director. To this day, his images still bring the catastrophe horrifyingly close.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title
Pompeii: Cast of a Human Victim
Studio
Photographer
Period Produced
School
Object Type
Physical Description
Albumen print mounted on cardboard
Material
Technique
Label at the Time of Manufacture
Bezeichnet recto unten links auf der Fotografie: Druckschriftzeile: 1243. Impronte umane trovate al 5 Feb. 1863. Pompei.
Bezeichnet recto unten rechts auf dem Trägerkarton: Blindstempel: SOMMER & BEHLES; NAPOLI E ROMA

Property and Acquisition

Institution
Administration
Collection
Creditline
Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main
Picture Copyright
Public Domain
Acquisition
Acquired in 1864 as a gift from Julius Ziegler.

Work Content

Motifs and References

Iconclass

Primary
  • 61D(ITALIA) geographical names of countries, regions, mountains, rivers, etc. (ITALIA) (ITALIA)
  • 61E(POMPEI) names of cities and villages (POMPEI)
  • 31D14 adult man
  • 31A236 lying figure
Secondary
Associative
  • 25C11 eruption (of volcano)

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Last update

15.05.2023