Interieur van de Dom van Keulen c. 1860 - 1870

Anselm Schmitz made this albumen print stereograph of the Cologne Cathedral sometime in the late 19th century. The very act of photographing and disseminating images of Cologne Cathedral speaks to its cultural and historical significance in Germany. Construction on the cathedral began in the 13th century but was halted in the 16th century due to lack of funds and political instability. The 19th century saw a renewed interest in completing the cathedral, fueled by a surge in German nationalism and a desire to create a symbol of national identity. Schmitz's photograph, then, exists at the intersection of religious devotion and nationalistic sentiment. As a relatively inexpensive art form, stereographs democratized access to images and helped to shape public perception. Consider how the soaring arches and the play of light and shadow evoke a sense of awe and wonder, reinforcing the power and authority of the Church. To understand the photograph better, you could look into the history of photography in Germany, and explore the relationship between art, religion, and nationalism in the 19th century.