Schilderijengalerij in het stadhuis van Parijs c. 1860 - 1880

This stereoscopic image by Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy captures the Schilderijengalerij in the Hôtel de Ville in Paris. The photographic process itself is key to understanding this artwork, especially in the context of 19th-century industrialization. Photography emerged as both a creative medium and a powerful tool for documentation and mass production. The stereoscopic technique, creating a 3D effect when viewed through a special device, was particularly popular. This popularity reflects a desire to capture and disseminate images of important architectural and cultural sites. The mass production of photographs made art and architecture accessible to a wider audience. Lamy’s image isn't just a picture; it embodies the technological advancements of the time, influencing how art and culture were consumed, democratizing access and experience. It collapses any assumed hierarchy between the fine arts and the processes of industrial production.