Kornmarkt in Nordhausen 1868 - 1890

This stereoscopic image shows the Kornmarkt in Nordhausen, Germany, and was produced by H. Selle. Stereoscopic images such as this one were designed to give the viewer an enhanced sense of depth, immersing them in the scene. Consider how the commercial success of this format shaped the development of photography, creating a demand for picturesque views of cityscapes like this one. What assumptions do you think the makers of this image had about what its viewers wanted to see? Notice the signs of commerce in this image, such as the hotel on the right, and the planters set out to decorate the square. How might the social and economic life of this German town have shaped its physical appearance? Photographs like this one are valuable historical resources, offering clues about the everyday lives of people in the past. By consulting historical documents such as city directories and census records, we can gain a richer understanding of the world captured in this image.