Vrouw aan het water bij Menton 1859

This is a stereoscopic photograph by Furne Fils & H. Tournier, it depicts a woman by the water near Menton. What strikes you first is the sepia tonality, which lends the scene a certain timelessness. The composition is structured by a play of reflections: the town and mountains mirrored in the water create a doubling effect, challenging our perception of stability and reality. The woman becomes a mediator between these two worlds, solid ground and its fluid reflection. This photograph also engages with broader philosophical questions about representation, perspective, and the self's place within the landscape. It suggests that what we see is always a construction, a play of surfaces and depths. The choice of photography as a medium underscores this point, highlighting its capacity to both capture reality and transform it through the very act of framing. Thus, the stereoscopic effect adds another layer of complexity, inviting us to consider how our perceptions are shaped by the interplay of multiple viewpoints.