Scala dei Giganti bij het Dogepaleis te Venetië, Italië
1857 - 1914
Medium
albumen print
Dimensions
320; 480
About this artwork
inscription: ‘I’
Art Historical Context
Step onto the sunlit Scala dei Giganti the "Giants' Staircase at Venice's Doge's Palace, captured in this stunning 19th-century albumen print Giorgio Sommer. Dating from his prolific career (1857–1914), the photograph measures 320 × 480 mm and showcases the Renaissance palace's iconic exterior—a sweeping double staircase flanked by colossal statues of Mars and Neptune symbols of Venice's dominion over land and sea. Built in the early 16th century, this architectural marvel was the dramatic entrance for doges during state ceremonies, embodying the Republic's grandeur amid its lagoon empire. So...
About the Artist
Giorgio Sommer
Giorgio Sommer, born Georg Sommer on September 2, 1834, in Frankfurt am Main within the German Confederation, emerged as one of 19th-century Europe's most prolific photographers. After studying business in his hometown, where his family fortune was reportedly lost to his father's gambling, Sommer apprenticed as a photographer before launching his professional career in Switzerland, producing relie...