Gezicht op Salzburg met de Kapuzinerberg 1860 - 1870

Ferrier Père-Fils et Soulier, a French photographic firm, created this stereoscopic view of Salzburg with the Kapuzinerberg. The black and white image depicts a panoramic view of the Austrian city, bisected by the Salzach River and watched over by the imposing Kapuzinerberg mountain. Stereoscopic photography, popular in the 19th century, offered viewers an immersive, three-dimensional experience of distant lands and cultures. As such, it often catered to the desires and ideals of its predominantly Western audience. This image of Salzburg, with its emphasis on architectural grandeur and natural beauty, presents a vision of European civilization intended for consumption and perhaps, the reinforcement of cultural hierarchies. Consider the power dynamics inherent in such representation: Who is behind the camera, and who is being depicted? How does the act of viewing this image from a distance shape our understanding of Salzburg and its inhabitants? This photograph invites us to reflect on the ways in which images can both reveal and conceal, shaping our perceptions of the world and its people.