Rotsen op het strand bij Torquay c. 1850 - 1880

This is a stereoscopic photograph of rocks on Livermead Beach in Torquay, made by Francis Bedford sometime in the mid-19th century. The double image would have been viewed through a special viewer, creating a 3D effect, a popular form of entertainment in Victorian England, which was also widely used for education. The image itself speaks to the Victorian fascination with the natural world and the rise of tourism and leisure activities. Bedford was commissioned to photograph railway routes as they expanded across the country, opening up previously remote areas to a wider public. The image, with its detailed depiction of geological formations, also aligns with the burgeoning field of geology and the scientific exploration of the Earth's history. To fully understand the social and cultural significance of Bedford's photograph, we can consult sources such as railway archives, tourist guides, and scientific publications of the period. This helps us understand the role that images like this played in shaping Victorian perceptions of the world.