Place de la Concorde in Parijs 1863 - 1875

This stereograph, showing the Place de la Concorde in Paris, was likely made in the mid-19th century, using a process that was then quite novel. This photographic technique involved a special camera with two lenses, mimicking human vision. The resulting double image, when viewed through a stereoscope, creates a convincing illusion of three-dimensionality. Think about the labour involved: from the production of the photographic materials, to the operation of the camera, to the eventual printing and distribution of the images. Stereographs like this one democratized image-making and consumption. For the first time, people could experience far-off places without leaving their homes. This small card embodies the technological and social changes of the Industrial Age, making the world newly accessible, yet also transforming it into a commodity. It reminds us that even the most seemingly straightforward images are the product of complex processes and power dynamics.