Historical photography of Naples is a visual journey that reveals how the city has changed over time, revealing not only iconic views but also the daily lives of its inhabitants, offering an authentic glimpse into a past that continues to influence the present.
Historical photography of Naples is an extraordinary visual treasure, documenting the evolution of one of Italy's most fascinating cities. Through historical images of Naples, we can observe not only the breathtaking views of the Gulf and Mount Vesuvius, but also the faces, streets, and habits of the population at key moments in the past. These photographs are much more than simple images: they are living memories that connect past and present, creating an authentic portrait of the Neapolitan city.
The photographic collections preserve photographs spanning the 19th century to the 1970s, including urban views, everyday scenes, and portraits of figures who have become symbols of Neapolitan culture. Many of these images have now been digitized and are accessible online, enriching our understanding of the city's history.
The origins and iconic images of the nineteenth century
Among the most famous historical images of Naples are those taken by photography pioneers such as Giorgio Sommer, Alphonse Bernoud, and the studio of Giacomo Brogi. These photographers documented Naples between the mid- and late-19th century, with urban views, panoramic views, and scenes of daily life.
- Giorgio Sommer photographed Piazza Dante, Via Mergellina, the seafront, and other areas of the city with high technical and compositional quality, creating images that today are precious historical documents.
- Alphonse Bernoud is known for images such as the Snail Seller and the Strada Marina, which capture moments of Neapolitan popular life in the 1860s and 1870s.
- Giacomo Brogi, active between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, created albums featuring views of Vomero and the Gulf of Naples, including Ischia and Capri among the most evocative views.
These photographs, often circulated as vintage postcards, were instrumental in establishing in the collective imagination the appearance of a pre-industrial Naples, made up of streets, squares, and popular traditions.
The Twentieth Century in Black and White: The City and Society
Historical photography of 20th-century Naples takes on a strongly social and documentary dimension. From the 1920s to the 1970s, Naples underwent profound urban and cultural transformations, which were captured in the black-and-white photographs of the period.
One of the most extraordinary collections is the Carbone Archive, founded by photographer Riccardo Carbone. With over 500.000 negatives and plates, this archive preserves images that chronicle public events, scenes of everyday life, portraits of personalities, and historical moments: from street urchins in the alleys to greeting emigrants at the pier, through images of Sophia Loren at Molo Beverello in 1956 with the Maschio Angioino in the background.
Some archive photographs show Piazza del Plebiscito and the old station in Piazza Garibaldi, places that have changed over the decades and which today convey an image of Naples deeply rooted in the collective memory.
These images are not just visual documents, but true visual stories of the city and Neapolitan society of the twentieth century, from traditional crafts to post-war urban transformations.
Archives, conservation projects, and the future of visual memory
The future of historical photography in Naples inevitably depends on the digitization and valorization of photographic archives. The Carbone Archive, for example, has already made thousands of photographs available online thanks to crowdfunding projects to save and digitize negatives often at risk of deterioration.
In addition, institutions such as museums and historical societies are working to promote photographic collections through exhibitions and cultural initiatives. The PAN – Palazzo delle Arti in Naples, for example, regularly hosts exhibitions that include photographic works that chronicle the city's visual evolution.
Furthermore, important collections are preserved in historical archives, such as that of the Neapolitan Society of National History, where photographs of monuments, squares, and historic streets are studied and catalogued for research and publication.
The challenge today is to make these materials increasingly accessible to the general public, both through digital platforms and through educational initiatives involving schools, enthusiasts, and scholars.
SOURCE EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
It's interesting how Naples's historic photographers have documented the city's changes over time. The images depict not only landscapes but also the lives of its inhabitants, and are a way to understand the past.