Jonge vrouw met een huzaar 1856 - 1859

This stereoscopic image, made by James Elliot, presents a young woman with a hussar. Produced in the 19th century, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the aesthetics of the era, particularly regarding leisure and social class. Stereoscopic images like these rely on the combination of two slightly different photographs, which when viewed through a stereoscope, create an illusion of depth. This was a cutting-edge technology at the time, a form of mass media and entertainment available to those with disposable income. The coloring would have been applied by hand, likely by women working in a factory setting, revealing the labor involved in the production process. The very act of creating these images, and the desire to possess them, speaks volumes about the burgeoning consumer culture of the Victorian era. It underscores the relationship between photography, industry, and the democratization of art.