The Bridge of Sighs in Venice, c. 1880
Fratelli Alinari

An unmounted albumen print showing gondoliers passing under the Bridge of Sighs in Venice.

Built of white limestone in 1600 to the designs of Antonio Contino, the bridge passes over the Rio di Palazzo, connecting the New Prison [Prigioni Nuove] to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace. Prisoners supposedly glimpsed their last view of the city from the bridge, hence its name. 

Photographed by Fratelli Alinari of Florence [Firenze].

Founded by Leopoldo Alinari in 1852 — he was joined two years later by his brothers Giuseppe and Romualdo  — the studio specialised in topographical views of Italy, particularly its monuments and architecture, though regular portrait photography was also available. The studio is still in existence today; its archives house over 5.5 million photographs. 

Signed, numbered ‘12641’ and captioned ‘VENEZIA - Il Ponte dei Sospiri’ in a narrow white border along its lower edge. 

Condition: the print is in excellent condition, with very good tonal range.

Dimensions: the print measures 9.9” by 7.5” (25.1 cm by 19.1 cm) including the border at its lower edge.