Brug over de Moezel bij Koblenz, Duitsland 1869 - 1872

Johann Friedrich Stiehm captured this stereoscopic photograph of the Mosel Bridge in Koblenz, Germany, using a monochrome process. The photograph is structured around a strong horizontal axis defined by the bridge itself. The bridge is built in a series of arches that create a repetitive visual rhythm, drawing the eye across the frame. The lower part of the image contrasts sharply with the ordered structure of the bridge. Piles of raw materials and timber are scattered irregularly, introducing a sense of disarray that juxtaposes the bridge's symmetry. Stiehm destabilizes traditional landscape photography by not focusing solely on the picturesque view but also on elements of industry and construction. The photograph’s composition invites viewers to consider the relationship between human construction and the natural landscape. The ordered, constructed bridge, set against the disarray of materials, creates a dialogue about progress, order, and their impact on the environment. It is an early investigation into how our built environment intersects with and alters the natural world.