Gezicht op Regensburg, in de verte de Dom van Regensburg 1860 - 1865

Ferrier Père-Fils et Soulier made this black and white photograph of Regensburg, Germany, including its famous cathedral, with the photographic techniques available to them. The technology of photography developed rapidly, so the photograph offers a sense of immediacy and documentary truth, even if the specific date is unknown. By the time this image was made, photography had become a central tool for documentation, but also for shaping perceptions of places, people, and events. In this case, we see a deliberate composition, a landscape framing the town, and a choice of subject matter that emphasizes the historical importance and religious authority of the city, dominated by the cathedral. This might reflect the cultural values of the time, where the grand scale of religious buildings still held significant social and political weight. Understanding the context in which this photograph was created, and how it was intended to be used, requires an art historian to research the technological history of photography and consult archives. In doing so, we can better understand its cultural and historical context.