Gezicht op de zuidelijke kant van de Kathedraal van Sint-Michiel en Sint-Goedele in Brussel 1866 - 1870

This is a photograph of the south side of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels, taken by Jules Hippolyte Quéval. It is printed on a rectangular card, using a stereoscopic technique to create a three-dimensional effect when viewed through a special device. The photograph captures the cathedral's imposing facade, emphasizing its Gothic architecture with intricate details, pointed arches, and towering spires. The image's sepia tones enhance its historical feel, highlighting the stone's texture and the deep shadows that give the building depth. The mode of production of photography itself allowed for the mass dissemination of images like this one, which speaks to broader issues of labor and consumption that accelerated in the nineteenth century. Stereoscopic photography was not just a way to document architecture; it transformed how people experienced art, allowing them to virtually travel and see the world in a novel and immediate way. The craft and care embedded in this image offer insights into the social and cultural values placed on architecture and visual representation during this period.