Kuurhotel in Bad Ems 1869 - 1872

This stereoscopic photograph of the Kuurhotel in Bad Ems, was taken by Johann Friedrich Stiehm. The first thing you might notice is how Stiehm uses the horizontal flow of the river to mirror and amplify the architectural lines of the Kurssal. The composition operates through a series of horizontal layers. At the bottom, the water, which acts almost as a stage, reflects the architecture above. This reflection leads our eye to the building's facade, a series of rhythmic columns and windows. Above, the mountain rises, a rugged contrast to the smooth lines of the architecture. These formal elements, the horizontality, the contrasting textures, create a sense of balance but also tension. It’s as if Stiehm is exploring how culture and nature interact, each defining the other, but also remaining distinct. Stiehm uses the stereoscopic format, to give the image a heightened sense of depth. This technique serves to emphasize the spatial relationships between these elements: water, architecture, and nature. This photograph becomes a study in contrasts, and ultimately, how we perceive space and form.