Gezicht op het Palace of Westminster gezien vanaf de Poets' Corner van Westminster Abbey c. 1860 - 1880

This is a stereoscopic photograph of the Palace of Westminster, taken by Frederick York. In this period, photography and stereoscopy in particular were used to document and disseminate images of important buildings and monuments throughout the British Empire and beyond. The Palace of Westminster, as the seat of British government, held particular significance. Here, it is viewed from Poet's Corner, enshrining it as part of the nation's cultural heritage. The Palace was rebuilt in the mid-19th century after a fire, in a neo-Gothic style that deliberately evoked England's medieval past. Its imposing architecture was meant to convey power, stability, and tradition, and was considered a demonstration of Britain's imperial reach. A cultural historian might consider how this image relates to the political history of 19th-century Britain, and examine how it was used to reinforce ideas of nationhood. Original photographs, architectural plans, and government documents are invaluable resources for understanding the image's historical meaning. As such, this photograph gives us unique insight into Britain’s sense of self.