Gezicht op Gavarnie c. 1860 - 1880

This stereoscopic photograph of Gavarnie in the Pyrenees was made by Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy. It’s a relatively modest object, made using the established technology of photography, but it speaks volumes about how landscapes were consumed in the 19th century. The photographic process involved precise chemistry and optics. In this case, the image has been mounted on card stock for mass distribution. This was not fine art, but rather a popular commodity. The stereoscopic format, with its slightly doubled image, would have created an immersive three-dimensional effect when viewed through a special device. This was a form of virtual tourism, allowing people to experience remote locations from the comfort of their homes. Consider the labor involved in producing these images. From the photographer lugging equipment through the mountains to the factory workers printing and assembling the cards, this seemingly simple object is deeply embedded in the industrial processes and consumer culture of its time. It reminds us that even landscape photography is a manufactured experience.