Ruïne van het Amfitheater van Bordeaux 1862 - 1876

Jean Andrieu created this stereoscopic photograph of the Ruïne van het Amfitheater van Bordeaux sometime in the mid-19th century. This image presents us with a ruined Roman amphitheater, now embedded in the urban fabric of Bordeaux, France. The photograph offers a glimpse into the 19th-century fascination with antiquity and its relationship to modern urban life. Bordeaux, like many European cities, had Roman origins, and the presence of these ruins spoke to a layered history. The choice of stereo photography, a popular technology at the time, emphasizes a desire to capture the depth and realism of the site, inviting viewers to experience a sense of being present in this historical space. By studying city archives, archaeological reports, and the history of photography, we can understand more about the cultural values that underpinned both the preservation and representation of historical sites during this period. The meaning of art and historical artifacts is not fixed but rather emerges from the social and institutional contexts in which they are encountered.