Esplanade des Invalides tijdens de Wereldtentoonstelling van 1900 1900

This stereoscopic image shows the Esplanade des Invalides during the 1900 World's Fair in Paris, captured by an anonymous photographer. Stereoscopy was a popular photographic technique at the turn of the century, producing an illusion of depth when viewed through a special device. It was a new way to depict and experience the world, with the potential for mass consumption. Beyond its novel appeal, the photographic process itself is key here. The choice of black and white photography captures the scene, but also speaks to the technological limitations of the time. The crisp detail of the architecture and the figures populating the esplanade, provide a window into the past, documenting not only the grand spectacle of the World's Fair but also the social fabric of the era. This image then, is more than just a picture, it is a testament to the fusion of art, technology, and the human desire to capture a moment in time, a piece of social history made accessible through mass production.