Capturing the Italian townscape: from the beginnings of Italian landscape photography to the anti-idyllic images of Ivor and Ivy de Wolfe

A groundbreaking exploration of Italian townscape photography reveals how the de Wolfe couple (pseudonyms for Hubert and Hazel Hastings) challenged conventional idyllic imagery through their 1963 publication, The Italian Townscape. Their anti-idyllic approach, blending historical and contemporary vernacular elements, redefined urban visual representation. The study analyzes this shift, drawing from later scholarly reassessments by Erdem Erten, Alan Powers, and Robert Elwall, who highlighted the de Wolves' influence on architectural discourse. By examining visual echoes, shared language, and statements from Italian photographers and planners, the research underscores their role in shaping a new appreciation for pedestrian and vehicular urban scales, particularly in UNESCO sites like Sabbioneta.

Maggi, A. (2016). Capturing the Italian townscape: from the beginnings of Italian landscape photography to the anti-idyllic images of Ivor and Ivy de Wolfe. The Journal of Architecture, 21(6), 890–909. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602365.2016.1219874