Untitled 1875 - 1899

This anonymous stereograph presents a photograph of a grand hotel flanked by a group of men in suits. Stereographs like this one were a popular form of entertainment and documentation, offering viewers a three-dimensional experience of distant places and events. The lack of identifying information about the photographer and the absence of any personal narratives connected to the image allow us to reflect on how the cultural and economic systems surrounding the creation of these images have functioned over time. Who were these men, and what was their relationship to this impressive edifice? The uniformity of their attire suggests a shared social status, likely tied to the hotel's operations or patronage. We can reflect on the narratives that are included and excluded when history is recorded through the lens of those in positions of power. The photograph functions as a symbol of both aspiration and exclusion.