Portaal van de Sint-Laurentiuskerk in Neurenberg, Duitsland 1863 - 1868

This albumen print from the late 19th century by Johann Friedrich Stiehm depicts the portal of St. Lawrence Church in Nuremberg, Germany. The photograph, presented as a stereoscopic card, captures the architectural details of the gothic entrance. The image reflects a broader cultural interest in documenting and preserving historical landmarks, particularly in a rapidly industrializing Europe. Photography served as a tool for both artistic expression and historical record-keeping, catering to a growing middle class eager to consume images of distant places and significant monuments. The stereoscopic format, offering a three-dimensional view, added an element of immersive experience, aligning with the era's fascination with realism and scientific exploration. To fully understand the photograph, one might consider the social and economic conditions that fostered the growth of photography, as well as the institutional frameworks, such as museums and historical societies, that shaped its reception and use. By consulting archives, period publications, and studies of photographic history, we gain insight into the complex interplay between art, technology, and society.