Gezicht op de façade van het Palacio de San Telmo in Sevilla 1862 - 1876

Jean Andrieu captured the façade of the Palacio de San Telmo in Seville with a stereo card, a popular 19th-century format that offered a pseudo-3D experience. Consider the cultural context of 19th-century Europe, marked by burgeoning colonialism and industrialization. Seville, with its rich history as a port city and its blend of cultures, stands as a compelling backdrop. Originally a nautical school, by the time this photograph was taken, the Palace had become a royal residence; a reflection of the ambitions and power of the monarchy. Andrieu's choice to use stereo photography invites us to not just passively view, but to almost inhabit the space. How does this sense of presence affect our understanding of the Palace's role in shaping the social and political landscape of Seville? Think about who had access to such spaces, and conversely, who was excluded. This image serves as both a historical document and an invitation to reflect on issues of access, representation, and power.