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1900-1950

Breaking New Ground

“…a superior tool to depict ancient cities and works of art…Photography has had a profound impact on the perception and dissemination of ancient art…” 1

Fotografo della Soprintendenza Calchi di vittime 1915, fotografia su scheda Archivio fotografico Soprintendenza Speciale per Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia
Unknown, two plaster casts of two bodies of the victims embracing from excavations of the garden of the House of Cryptoporticus or House of T. Lucretius Carus, Pompeii, 1916?

As photography became more available to the public, it began to be used by hobbyists and scientists alike as an everyday tool. In the years after Giuseppe Fiorello was Director of Excavations at Pompeii, his successors took on his goals and new methods for excavations including the use of photography. One of these successors, Vittorio Spinazzola, who took over as Director of Excavations at Pompeii from 1910 to 1923, pioneered the excavation of  Via dell’Abbondanza (Street of Abundance), the main road running through Pompeii. His Nuovi Scavi (new excavations) began in 1911 with a half kilometer of the street excavated.2The method of excavation followed Fiorelli’s system of excavating in layers. However, Spinazzola decided to excavate below the 79AD level. Spinazzola documented extensively the excavation with photography.

Pompei, 1912, scavi in corso in Via dell'Abbondanza
Pompei, 1912, scavi in corso in Via dell’Abbondanza. Photographs showed Via dell’Abbondanza as an empty space, however, it was once a crowded, bustling location with paintings, graffiti, facades, and balconies lining the street. 3
Spinazzola was among the first to use photography to scientifically record the unearthing process. Near the end of his life, Spinazzola spent his time publishing a book about the excavation of Via dell’Abbondanza, which contained more than 600 photographs and two dozen lithographs. Unfortunately, the allied bombings during World War II destroyed not only large parts of Via dell’Abbondanza but also the publishing house for Spinazolla’s book. Very few copies survive. However, Spinazzola’s archival efforts to document the scientific excavations changed how archaeological excavations were documented with photography.4  These photographs have provided conservators with valuable information to repair damage to buildings from vandalism, war, earthquakes, and exposure.

This photo shows the workman, clearing debris, whilst being supervised under the watchful eye of Spinazzola himself (in the dark suit at the top). Part of the aim of the photographic documentation, and one that anyone with field experience is familiar with today, is to preserve a record of how any particular area is being excavated. In addition, Spinazzola was interested in showing the extent of the work being carried out. The photo below is striking, not just for the length of the area being cleared along the Via dell’Abbondanza, but also for showing how much of the ruins had yet to be uncovered just a century ago (you can just see the upper levels of the amphitheatre in the distance).
“This photo shows the workman, clearing debris, whilst being supervised under the watchful eye of Spinazzola himself (in the dark suit at the top). Part of the aim of the photographic documentation and one that anyone with field experience is familiar with today is to preserve a record of how any particular area is being excavated. In addition, Spinazzola was interested in showing the extent of the work being carried out. The photo below is striking, not just for the length of the area being cleared along the Via dell’Abbondanza, but also for showing how much of the ruins had yet to be uncovered just a century ago, you can just see the upper levels of the amphitheater in the distance.” – Dr. Virgina L. Campbell 5
Another contributor to the use of photography for archaeological research was Amedeo Maiuri who was in charge of excavations at Pompeii after Spinazzola from 1924 to 1961.6 He oversaw the most extensive period of excavation at Pompeii continuing the work throughout the fascist years of Mussolini and the Second World War. Much like Spinazzola, Maiuri photographed the site heavily both for promoting the site, as well as documenting the new excavations.

Mussolini guidato da Maiuri negli scavi di Pompei (1927)
Unknown, Mussolini with Maiuri (center) at Pompeii, 1927

In September 1943, Pompeii and the Bay of Naples were repeatedly bombed by the allies in an operation called ‘Operation Avalanche’ and was part of the allied advance to liberate southern Italy from Nazi Germany. The bombing was meant to disrupt German resupply lines on roads, railways, bridges, and overpasses located near the archaeological site of Pompeii. The bombings by American and British fighters caused destruction throughout the site at famous monuments and the museum.7 Following the destruction, photographic archives were used to help rebuild what had been damaged helping to preserve the site for future generations. However, these repairs have been controversial. Many of the structural issues at Pompeii today have to do with the quick repairs down during Maiuri’s time.

American B-25 Mitchell Bombers Flying Past Vesuvius, March 17–21, 1944, Unknown photographer. Gelatin silver print, 4 7/16 x 5 13/16 in (11.3 x 14.7 cm). Archive of Raymond D. Yusi, Army Corps of Engineers
Unknown, American B-25 Mitchell Bombers Flying Past Vesuvius, March 17–21, 1944. Gelatin silver print. Courtesy of Archive of Raymond D. Yusi, Army Corps of Engineers
Unknown, Allied bombing in 1943 at the House of Trebius Valens. 1943.
Pompei, danni del bombardamento americano del 1943
Unknown, Pompeii after the American bombing, 1943

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  1.  Benjamin, Walter. The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction. United States: Prism Key Press, 2010. ↵
  2. “Archaeology.” Pompeii and Herculaneum Revision. Accessed March 22, 2017. http://pompeiiandherculaneumcc.weebly.com/archaeology.html. ↵
  3. “AIA Lecture Abstract – Excavation Photographs and the Rediscovery of the Via dell’Abbondanza at Pompeii.” AIA Lecture Abstract – Excavation Photographs and the Rediscovery of the Via dell’Abbondanza at Pompeii. Accessed March 22, 2017. https://www.archaeological.org/lectures/abstracts/2665. ↵
  4. “Wabash professor explores photography’s impact on Pompeii excavation, Oct. 5.” Wabash professor explores photography’s impact on Pompeii excavation, Oct. 5 NEWS of the College of Arts & Sciences at Syracuse University. Accessed March 22, 2017. http://asnews.syr.edu/newsevents_2011/releases/pompeii_lecture.html. ↵
  5. Campbell, Virginia L., Dr. “Unpeopling the Past.” Pompeian Connections. February 22, 2016. Accessed April 10, 2017. https://pompeiinetworks.wordpress.com/2016/02/22/unpeopling-the-past/. ↵
  6. “Archaeology.” Pompeii and Herculaneum Revision. Accessed March 22, 2017. http://pompeiiandherculaneumcc.weebly.com/archaeology.html. ↵
  7. “The Last Days of Pompeii: Destruction in World War II (Getty Villa Exhibitions).” The Last Days of Pompeii: Destruction in World War II (Getty Villa Exhibitions). Accessed March 22, 2017. http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/pompeii/destruction.html. ↵