Roberto Donetta: The Forgotten Photographer of Swiss Village Life

In the remote Blenio Valley of Ticino, on the southern side of the Swiss Alps, a man once roamed its rugged paths armed with a camera, capturing the vivid tapestry of village life. That man, Roberto Donetta, was not a celebrated artist in his time but rather a destitute seed pedlar with a knack for photography. Between 1900 and 1930, he produced over 5,000 glass plate negatives, documenting a world that was as isolated as it was rich in character. His images, rediscovered decades after his death in 1932, reveal the life work of a man that clearly had an abundance of natural talent for visual storytelling.

A Life of Struggles

Roberto Donetta was born in the Blenio Valley, a region that epitomised rural poverty in late 19th-century Switzerland. Life in this Italian-speaking enclave was harsh, with limited opportunities forcing many to emigrate. Donetta was no exception. Like his neighbours, he left the valley in search of work.

Initially, he travelled to Northern Italy, where he sold chestnuts on the streets to make ends meet. Later, he found himself in London, peddling seeds. These experiences not only exposed him to different worlds but likely shaped his understanding of people and their daily struggles, a theme that would later dominate his photography.

At 21, Donetta married and went on to have seven children. Yet, despite his best efforts, he struggled to provide for his family. Somewhere along the way, he met Dionigi Sorgesa, a sculptor who became a pivotal figure in Donetta’s life. Sorgesa taught him the basics of photography and gifted him his first camera, igniting a passion that would give Donetta’s life a new direction.

The Wandering Photographer

Returning to Switzerland, Donetta merged his trade as a seed pedlar with his newfound love of photography. With a heavy plate camera and portable backdrops in tow, he travelled from village to village, offering his services as a photographer. He captured the people of the Blenio Valley in their most authentic moments: blacksmiths hammering at their forges, butchers laughing together, children playing in sun-dappled woods, and families mourning at funerals.

His photographs were far more than simple documentation. The compositions were carefully considered, the lighting meticulously balanced, and the subjects imbued with a striking presence. It was clear that Donetta saw himself as an artist, even if he lacked formal recognition or financial success. His images possess a timeless quality, their clarity and depth pulling the viewer into the lives of his subjects.

But despite his artistry, Donetta’s financial situation remained precarious. He barely scraped by, producing postcards for sale and relying on the goodwill of locals who, though sympathetic to his plight, were also his creditors.

Isolation and Loss

Donetta’s personal life unravelled as his economic hardships deepened. His wife and children left him, moving to France in search of better opportunities. Alone in the valley, Donetta became a figure of both pity and respect. While his community valued his contributions as a chronicler of their lives, he was largely overlooked as an artist.

He lived out his final years in a circular stone house, a former school that had been closed due to a lack of students. There, he continued his photography, undeterred by his circumstances. When he died in 1932, he owed money to many locals who had supported him during his most difficult times.

The Rediscovery of a Legacy

Upon Donetta’s death, his possessions were auctioned to settle his debts. Ironically, the most valuable of these possessions—his archive of over 5,000 glass plate negatives and prints—was deemed worthless. Left in the attic of the local parish, the collection was forgotten for over 30 years, preserved only by chance.

In the late 1970s, this treasure trove was rediscovered, sparking a reappraisal of Donetta’s life and work. The Commune of Corzoneso, which had inherited the archive by default, began to recognise the significance of his photographs. Slowly, Donetta’s work gained attention, and his reputation as one of Switzerland’s great outsider photographers began to take shape.

Today, his former home serves as the headquarters of the Roberto Donetta Foundation. This small 18th-century stone building houses his archive and serves as a centre for preserving and promoting his legacy. The foundation’s work ensures that Donetta’s remarkable contributions to photography are not only remembered but celebrated.

A Legacy Preserved

The rediscovery of Roberto Donetta’s work has ensured that his vision lives on, inspiring new generations of photographers and historians alike. His images are now recognised as invaluable not only for their artistic merit but also for their historical significance. They offer an intimate glimpse into a world that, without Donetta’s efforts, might have been lost to time.