Trafalgar Square in Londen c. 1860 - 1880

This is a stereoscopic photograph titled 'Trafalgar Square in London' by Frederick York. Its dual images create a three-dimensional effect when viewed through a stereoscope. The formal composition consists of two nearly identical images. York uses the symmetry of the square to his advantage, placing Nelson's Column centrally in both frames. This repetition creates an illusion of depth but also of spatial dislocation, characteristic of stereoscopic imagery. The grey tones and sharp focus capture the architectural details of the square, highlighting its geometry and scale. The act of duplication inherent in stereoscopy can be seen as a commentary on the burgeoning mass culture of the time. Here, York presents a London landmark not as a unique monument but as a repeatable, commodifiable image. This tension between art, technology and cultural representation invites us to reflect on how photography shapes our perception of urban space and cultural memory.