Palais du Champs de Mars tijdens de Wereldtentoonstelling van 1878 1878

Étienne Neurdein captured this stereo photograph of the Palais du Champs de Mars during the 1878 World's Fair, presenting us with a scene bathed in sepia tones. The stereoscopic format offers a dual perspective, creating a subtle depth that invites the eye to wander across the composition. Dominating the background is the Palais, its architectural details softened by the photographic process. The structure's grandeur is slightly veiled, allowing the foreground elements to assert themselves. Here, branches and foliage create a screen, fragmenting the view and adding layers to the visual experience. The reflection of the Palais in the water introduces a play of symmetry, subtly distorting the solid forms and hinting at the ephemeral nature of perception. Neurdein's choice to position the viewer behind natural elements is a fascinating structural choice, and this layering effect is more than just aesthetic; it challenges the viewer to actively piece together the scene, engaging in a semiotic decoding of space and representation.