Gezicht op de Porte Cailhau te Bordeaux 1862 - 1876

Jean Andrieu created this stereoscopic photograph of the Porte Cailhau in Bordeaux sometime in the mid-19th century. Two nearly identical images sit side by side, framed within a purple border, inviting the viewer to experience a three-dimensional depth when viewed through a stereoscope. The photograph's composition is dominated by the architectural forms of the gate and the surrounding buildings. Andrieu’s photograph offers a study in contrasts between the solidity of the stone structures and the ephemerality of light and atmosphere. Note how the texture of the stone is rendered through subtle gradations of light, creating a palpable sense of depth and volume. The stereoscopic format itself underscores a central theme of duality and perception, offering a unique way of seeing and understanding our surroundings. In its time, this photograph offered not only a view of a distant place, but also a new way of experiencing space and representation.