Jonge vrouw ruikt aan boeket 1868

This stereoscopic card, "Jonge vrouw ruikt aan boeket," by Florent Grau, presents a woman smelling a bouquet of flowers in a vase. Produced through photography, this image would have been created using a specialized camera with two lenses to capture two slightly different perspectives of the same scene. Printed on card stock, this format allowed viewers to experience a three-dimensional effect when viewed through a stereoscope. The albumen print shows a woman, flowers, a vase, and a book on a table. The choice of a stereoscopic card format imbues the image with social and cultural significance. It speaks to the burgeoning middle class of the era, who sought new forms of entertainment and visual experiences. The mass production of stereoscopic cards reflects the rise of industrial capitalism and the democratization of art. By considering its materials, production, and social context, we can appreciate this photograph not only for its aesthetic qualities but also for its place within the broader history of visual culture.