Gezicht op de Brug van Toledo te Madrid 1862 - 1876

This stereoscopic image of the Toledo Bridge in Madrid was made in the 19th Century, by Jean Andrieu, using photographic techniques that were transforming visual culture at the time. Stereoscopy, with its double image viewed through a special device, created a convincing illusion of depth. Photography in general, including this stereoscopic image, has the appearance of objective truth but involved skilled labor and complex processes: the preparation of light-sensitive plates, the operation of large-format cameras, and the careful development of the resulting images. Here, the sharp focus and tonal range capture the stone bridge’s architecture and the surrounding landscape in great detail. This was quite different from the established hierarchies of the art world, where painting and sculpture were valued over the so-called ‘mechanical’ arts. Andrieu’s photograph invites us to consider how new technologies can reshape our perception, not just of art but of the world around us, including our understanding of labor, politics, and consumption.