CAPRI & NAPOLI & POMPEII COLLECTION

The Capri & Napoli & Pompeii Collection presents a remarkable series of hitherto unpublished photographs created by Isolde Voigt (1897–1988) during her journey through Southern Italy in 1929.

At the heart of the collection is the island of Capri, whose unique atmosphere has long captivated artists, writers and travellers from across Europe. Rather than depicting only its celebrated landscapes, Isolde Voigt turned her camera towards the island's everyday life. Fishermen preparing their boats, the lively Piazzetta, quiet alleys, picturesque harbours and sunlit terraces reveal a community whose daily rhythm was shaped by the tides and the sea. Her photographs capture the intimate relationship between the island's inhabitants and the surrounding Mediterranean, preserving fleeting moments with remarkable sensitivity and compositional elegance.

 

The series also captures Napoli, where the bustling harbour, lively waterfront and narrow streets convey the unmistakable energy of one of Italy's most captivating cities. With an equally attentive eye, Isolde Voigt juxtaposed its monumental architecture with scenes of everyday life unfolding beneath the imposing silhouette of Mount Vesuvius, creating an authentic portrait of Naples at the end of the 1920s.
 

The final chapter leads to Pompei, where silent streets, temples and ancient houses bear witness to a civilisation preserved in time. Through carefully composed images, the archaeological remains become more than historic monuments—they evoke a dialogue between antiquity and the present, reminding the viewer of the enduring legacy of the Roman world.
 

Preserved for almost a century within the family's private archive, these photographs stand as both artistic works and valuable historical documents. Together, they offer an intimate portrait of Southern Italy in 1929, celebrating the timeless charm of Capri, the vitality of Naples and the extraordinary legacy of Pompeii.