Monte Carlo te Monaco 1889 - 1905

This stereoscopic image of Monte Carlo, Monaco, was created by an anonymous artist and printed by Karling & Lutteroth in Hamburg. The image offers us a window into a particular moment in European history, the late 19th century, when travel and leisure were becoming increasingly accessible to the upper classes. We see two men, possibly workers, attending to the manicured gardens of a seaside promenade. Their presence subtly speaks to the labor that underpins the leisurely activities of others. What does it mean to depict a scene of leisure, capturing the burgeoning tourism industry, while also including figures who might otherwise be overlooked? The photograph prompts us to consider the complexities of representation and the stories that photographs can tell, not only about who is seen, but also about who is often unseen. It also creates an emotional awareness of the artist's presence. The image is both a document of a specific time and place, and an invitation to reflect on broader societal dynamics.