Exterieur van het Altes Rathaus te München c. 1850 - 1880

This stereoscopic card, an early form of 3D photography by the Nederlandsche Stereoscoop Maatschappij, presents a view of the Altes Rathaus in Munich. The sepia tones and the paired images immediately suggest an attempt to capture depth and realism. Notice how the composition is structured by the converging lines of the buildings, leading the eye towards the distant tower of the Rathaus. The use of stereoscopy here is not just a technical novelty; it fundamentally alters our perception of space within the image. It invites us to consider the relationship between photography and reality. This method destabilizes the traditional flatness of photographic representation by mimicking human binocular vision, creating an illusion of depth. In doing so, the photograph challenges the viewer to reflect on how we construct and perceive spatial dimensions through images. It reminds us that seeing, even through a mechanical eye, is always a form of interpretation.