Gezicht op de Loggetta del Sansovino in Venetië c. 1860 - 1880

This photograph, by Sommer and Behles, captures the Loggetta del Sansovino in Venice. It's a stereoscopic image, meaning it was made with a special camera that has two lenses, mimicking the way our eyes see. The process gives the final print a three-dimensional effect when viewed through a stereoscope. This was a hugely popular form of visual entertainment in the late 19th century, allowing people to experience faraway places from the comfort of their homes. But it was also a business. Studios like Sommer & Behles mass-produced these images, employing photographers and technicians to capture, print, and distribute them. The photograph itself is a testament to the chemical processes of the time, the careful manipulation of light and silver salts on paper. It also speaks to the rise of tourism, and the commodification of culture. What was once a unique experience became reproducible, a collectible object in a burgeoning global market. So, remember, every image carries its own history, not just of what it depicts, but of how it was made and consumed.