Vermählungsbrunnen, of Huwelijksfontein, op de Hoher Markt, Wenen 1863 - 1876

This stereoscopic image depicts the Vermählungsbrunnen, or Marriage Fountain, in Hoher Markt, Vienna. Though anonymous, the photographer captures a moment of the city's life, likely in the late 19th century, when Vienna was a center of imperial power and cultural innovation. The fountain, a Baroque monument, presents an idealized vision of marriage and is steeped in the religious and social traditions of its time. Reflected in this image are the complexities of gender roles and societal expectations of marriage. It invites reflection on how public art reinforces or challenges prevailing norms. While the fountain's architecture speaks to a particular historical narrative, the surrounding cityscape captures a sense of everyday life. There is the hustle and bustle of the market, the movement of people, and the city's evolving identity. This photograph gives a glimpse into a society undergoing transformation, and leaves us to ponder the changing dynamics of marriage and relationships then and now.