Pompeii: Fountain in the Casa del gran balcone, ca. 1865

Darstellung: 23.9 x 17.9 cm

Physical Description: Albumen print mounted on cardboard

Inventory Number: St.F.174

Acquisition: Acquired in 2011 with support from the Kulturstiftung der Länder and the Hessischer Kulturstiftung, property of the Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V.

Status: Not on display

Texts

About the Work

An impoverished citizen of Frankfurt became one of Naples’ most successful entrepreneurs. In 1856, photographer Georg Sommer moved to Italy, where he began to build a flourishing business. His atmospheric images of the southern Italian countryside, its inhabitants and ancient sites were coveted by tourists and those who stayed at home alike. His view of a Pompeian house exudes melancholy. Remains such as this elegant putto above the fountain tell of the former riches of a past culture.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: Pompeii: Fountain in the Casa del gran balcone

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. 1256. Fontana nella del gran balcone. (Pompei)
Bezeichnet recto unten rechts auf dem Trägerkarton: Blindstempel: SOMMER & BEHLES; NAPOLI E ROMA

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Departement

Photographic Collection

Collection

Städelsches Kunstinstitut

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Eigentum des Städelschen Museums-Vereins e.V.

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Acquisition: Acquired in 2011 with support from the Kulturstiftung der Länder and the Hessischer Kulturstiftung, property of the Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V.

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

architecture

Main Motif

Iconclass

Primary

61E(POMPEI) names of cities and villages (POMPEI)
61F(CASA DEL BALCONE PENSILE (Pompei)) names of historical buildings, sites, streets, etc. (CASA DEL BALCONE PENSILE (Pompei))
41A1 civic architecture; edifices; dwellings
48C149 ruin of a building ~ architecture
41A3911 well
48C2 sculpture

Secondary

48C161 column, pillar ~ architecture
48C16 architectural detail
48C5142 picture within picture
61F(REGIO 7 (Pompei)) names of historical buildings, sites, streets, etc. (REGIO 7 (Pompei))