Gezicht op het Imperial Hotel langs de kust bij Torquay c. 1850 - 1880

This is a stereoscopic photograph of the Imperial Hotel in Torquay, taken by Francis Bedford. The image captures the hotel perched high on the cliffs, overlooking the serene coastline. Bedford was a leading Victorian photographer, known for his landscape and architectural images, often commissioned by the British royal family. This photograph, part of a series illustrating Devonshire, reflects the Victorian era's fascination with landscape and travel. It was a time when photography played a crucial role in shaping perceptions of place and identity. The hotel itself, a symbol of luxury and leisure, catered to the elite, embodying Victorian ideals of progress and refinement. But how does this image resonate today, especially considering the Victorian era’s complex relationship with colonialism and social inequality? While the photograph presents an idyllic scene, it also invites us to consider who had access to such leisure and beauty, and at what cost? It is both visually appealing and historically charged.