Gezicht op Königswinter, gezien vanaf de Drachenfels 1867 - 1872

This photograph, captured by Johann Friedrich Stiehm, presents a stereoscopic view of Königswinter from the Drachenfels. Dominating the scene is the elevated vantage point which carries a potent symbolism, suggestive of higher knowledge and power through seeing. The act of observing from a height is an ancient motif that recurs throughout art history, from religious scenes of the Annunciation to Romantic landscapes. Consider, for instance, how mountain peaks are used as sites for divine revelation, such as Mount Sinai. Here, the act of viewing the city and river below is also powerful. It’s a re-enactment of a primal human impulse, a deep-seated desire to survey and understand one's domain. This relates to our subconscious need to feel secure. Like the heroic landscapes of old, this photograph engages the viewer on a subconscious level. It is a psychological landscape rooted in collective memory.