Cautiously working their way across the shell-swept plains of Picardy in the great Somme push after 1916

This stereograph was made by Realistic Travels, offering viewers an immersive scene from the Somme offensive of World War I. These images were mass produced using photographic paper, itself an industrial product that made possible the mass distribution of images and the commodification of war. The photograph is a double image, designed to be viewed through a stereoscope to create an illusion of depth. This process involved careful arrangement of the scene and precise photographic techniques to capture the desired effect. The soldiers are shown lying prone under fire, emphasizing the visceral reality of the conflict. The image is not just a snapshot, but a constructed view intended to evoke a sense of realism and immediacy. The making and distribution of stereographs like this reflects the industrialization of both photography and warfare. It prompts us to consider how images shape our understanding of historical events, challenging traditional notions of art and craft.