Zoeaven schieten geweren te Saint-Maur-des-Fossés c. 1850 - 1860

This anonymous stereograph, produced at an unknown date, depicts soldiers in a camp at Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, likely in France. Stereographs like this one were a popular form of entertainment and documentation in the 19th and early 20th centuries, offering a three-dimensional view when seen through a stereoscope. The image presents an Italian army camp. Soldiers in distinctive uniforms are shown practicing their marksmanship. The presence of Italian troops in France suggests a specific historical context, possibly related to military alliances or training exercises. The photograph offers a glimpse into the visual culture and military practices of the time. To fully understand the image, one would need to research military history and relations between Italy and France, institutional history, and the photographic techniques used in making stereographs, as well as the social context in which it was made. This helps us to understand the meaning of this artwork and how photography helped to shape national identity.