Stadhuis en de Sint-Benedictuskerk, Quedlinburg 1868 - 1890

Editor: Here we have Hermann Selle’s "Stadhuis en de Sint-Benedictuskerk, Quedlinburg," a photographic print created sometime between 1868 and 1890. It depicts a rather serene-looking town square. The architecture is the star, of course, but there is an incredible sense of stillness, almost like a freeze-frame in time. What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: Well, firstly, let's not overlook the technical side! The fact this is a stereoscopic photograph intended for viewing with a special device is something that perhaps eludes us now. So, that stillness you mentioned? It's a constructed illusion designed to transport the viewer. It wants to swallow you into that moment! Do you feel it succeeded, in some respect? Editor: Absolutely! Despite the somewhat faded tones of the print, I can almost hear the quiet hum of daily life happening there. You mentioned the stereoscopic effect – does that play into the composition at all? The positioning of the buildings, or the figures in the square? Curator: Intriguing question! I wonder if Selle wasn't intentionally playing with depth. The buildings act as anchoring points, almost like theatrical flats, guiding the viewer’s eye deeper into the constructed reality. And observe how figures are strategically positioned – little stage actors in a carefully considered production. And isn't it beautiful, in a way, that something seemingly objective like a photograph could be this manufactured experience? Editor: That’s such a fascinating point! I was so focused on the aesthetic qualities, I hadn't fully considered the active construction of the image itself. Now, I want to hunt down a stereoscope and really *see* what Selle wanted us to experience. Curator: Exactly! These old photos… they're little portals. We need to do our bit to pry them open.