Gezicht op het Place des Victoires in Parijs met een ruiterstandbeeld van Lodewijk XIV van Frankrijk c. 1850 - 1880

This stereoscopic photograph captures the Place des Victoires in Paris, featuring an equestrian statue of Louis XIV. Centralisation de Photographies created it during a period of rapid urban change in Paris. The composition is structured by the monument at the center, with the surrounding architecture creating a sense of enclosed, ordered space. The sepia tone evokes a nostalgic atmosphere, while the stereoscopic format offers a three-dimensional view that was innovative for its time. Considering structuralist thought, the arrangement of elements isn't arbitrary; the statue of Louis XIV acts as a signifier of power, centrally located and elevated, while the architectural backdrop frames and reinforces this symbol. The image also reflects contemporary debates about representation and urban space. The stereoscopic view, offering depth, is a formal quality of the artwork, but it also functions as part of a larger cultural and philosophical discourse, challenging singular, unchanging meanings and inviting ongoing interpretation.