Gezicht op de Rue de Rivoli te Parijs c. 1850 - 1875

This stereoscopic image of the Rue de Rivoli in Paris was produced by the London Stereoscopic Company, a firm that played a key role in popularizing stereoscopic photography as a form of mass entertainment. The photograph presents a bustling street scene with pedestrians, horse-drawn carriages, and shops lining the grand boulevard. The Rue de Rivoli, a symbol of modernity and urban planning in 19th-century Paris, offers a glimpse into the social life of the era. Its wide avenues and uniform architecture reflect the city's transformation under urban planners who sought to modernize Paris and improve circulation. Stereoscopic photography offered viewers a novel experience of depth and immersion, further enhancing the appeal of these images of modern life. To understand this image better, we can explore how the rise of photography altered the way of seeing in the 19th century. Historical archives, photographic collections, and writings on urbanism can shed light on its social, cultural, and institutional contexts.