Schaatsers in de hel, omringd door skeletten 1868 - 1873

This stereoscopic image, "Skaters in Hell Surrounded by Skeletons," was made by an anonymous artist. It’s an albumen print, a photographic process popular in the mid-19th century. Albumen printing involves coating paper with egg white and then sensitizing it with silver nitrate. This creates a surface on which a negative can be printed, resulting in a detailed, sepia-toned image. The process demanded meticulous preparation and skilled execution, reflecting the era's fascination with both science and art. The print's depth and clarity invite us into a macabre scene: skeletons ice-skating in hell. The photographic process, with its alchemical blend of organic and inorganic materials, mirrors the image's theme of life, death, and transformation. This work underscores how the materials and methods of production can enrich our understanding of an artwork's cultural and symbolic meanings, challenging traditional distinctions between art and craft.