Gezicht op de Villa Rocca Matilde in Posillipo, Napels 1861 - 1878

This is a stereoscopic photograph by Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy, showing the Villa Rocca Matilde near Naples. Stereoscopic photography was an important part of visual culture in the 19th century. These paired images, when viewed through a special device, create an illusion of three-dimensionality. This one brings into focus the picturesque appeal of Italian landscapes and architecture for tourists. The Villa Rocca Matilde itself becomes a spectacle, framed by the photographer's lens and offered as a souvenir of travel. This image creates meaning through its visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. As an art historian, I can research the market for stereoscopic images in the 19th century. We might consider the distribution networks that brought these images to a wide audience. Doing so, we can understand better how cultural institutions shaped the production and reception of art.