Historic images of Seoul taken by a former diplomat while posted here are going on display at the Seoul Museum of History from April 26-July 1.

The photographs were taken by the former Italian Consul in Seoul Carlo Rossetti who was here from 1902 to 1903.

The images on display have been selected from among 200 photographs Rossetti took during his time here.

After establishing official diplomatic relations with Korea in 1884, Italy opened a consulate in Seoul. In 1902, following the sudden death of Count Francesetti di Malgra, second Italian consul in Seoul, Rossetti, of the Italian Royal Navy, was posted here. He was in charge of the office between November 1902 and May 1903.

Rossetti proved to be a careful observer of Korean society, collecting information and studying local society, geography, economy, culture and traditions.

With the help of a local photographer named Murakami, Rossetti took many photographs portraying local people and depicting daily life in Seoul.

On returning to Italy, Rossetti held two lectures in Rome for the king and the establishment at the Italian Geographic Society. He also published the letters he had written from Korea, and the accounts of his experiences in Seoul in two books.

“Rossetti’s work was the first and most extensive documentation produced in the West about Korea and it remained for many years, and especially during the Japanese occupation, the main source and reference in Europe for contemporary Korean studies,” said Lucio Izzo, director of the Italian Cultural Institute.

“Still today it gives us one of the most powerful evidence of the well structured statehood reached by Korea before the invasion. This exhibition will therefore contribute to a better knowledge of the Korean society of the time, especially form the visual point of view.

“It also aims to celebrate the long lasting friendship and cooperation that has bound Italy and Korea since the second half of the 19th century.”

Alongside the images, several original documents and artifacts from the Italian and Korean Diplomatic Archives will be displayed. These will include maps of Korea and Asia and many items that belonged to Rossetti, including the camera he was using in Seoul

Lectures will be given by the president and researchers of the Italian Geographic Society at 2pm on April 26 to introduce the exhibition, followed by an opening ceremony at 4 p.m.

By Kirsty Taylor (kirstyt@heraldcorp.com)