Begrafenisstoet van Adolphe Billault in Parijs op 17 oktober 1863 Possibly 1863

This stereoscopic photograph captures the funeral procession of Adolphe Billault in Paris on October 17, 1863. While the photographer is unknown, the medium itself—photography— speaks volumes about the burgeoning industrial era. Notice the sheer number of people lining the streets. This image could only be captured because of the mass production of photographic materials, a hallmark of rising capitalism. Photography democratized image-making, moving it away from the exclusive realm of painting and drawing. Consider the labor involved: from the manufacturing of the photographic plates to the darkroom processes, the image embodies the transformation of society under industrialism. It is not just a record of a funeral, but an artifact of a changing world. By focusing on the materials, the making, and the social context, we recognize how this stereograph challenges traditional distinctions between documentation, art, and industry.