Kehl 1850 - 1877

Adolphe Braun created this stereograph, "Kehl," using albumen silver print in the mid-19th century. This photographic technique, popular during that era, offered a detailed, almost hyper-realistic view of the world, but it also came with a certain level of manipulation. Braun’s choice to present this scene of Kehl in stereo invites us into an immersive experience, yet it is one carefully constructed. Consider the context: mid-19th century Europe, a period of rapid industrialization and shifting political landscapes. As a commercial photographer, Braun was catering to a growing middle class eager to consume images of faraway places. These images were not neutral; they reflected a certain colonial gaze, framing European landscapes as picturesque and orderly. What stories are omitted from this seemingly serene view? What does it mean to turn a place into a commodity for consumption? The emotional impact of this image lies in its ability to transport us, while simultaneously reminding us of the power dynamics inherent in representation.