Exterieur van het Convento de las Salesas Reales te Madrid 1862 - 1876

Jean Andrieu's stereoscopic photograph captures the exterior of the Convento de las Salesas Reales in Madrid, likely in the mid-19th century. The image, designed for viewing with a stereoscope, offers a doubled perspective of the baroque facade, complete with ornate gates and stone carvings. This convent, built under royal patronage, embodies the close relationship between the Spanish monarchy and the Catholic Church. Institutions like the Church were central to the social fabric of the time, shaping everything from education to social welfare. Andrieu's photograph, while seemingly a straightforward architectural study, invites us to consider how these buildings functioned as powerful symbols of religious and political authority. To fully understand its significance, we might delve into the archives of the convent itself, examining records of its benefactors, its rules, and its role in the community. Only through such investigation can we hope to grasp the full social and institutional context of this compelling image.