Guarding sacred Ypres, where British heroism shone resplendent through the war's darkest hours c. 1918

This stereoscopic photograph by Realistic Travels depicts the ruins of Ypres, likely during or shortly after World War I. Produced using a camera and photographic paper, it’s a reminder that even mass-produced images have a material reality, and were made by someone. Note the title below the image, emphasizing the “British heroism” at Ypres. Photography like this played a crucial role in shaping public opinion during and after the war, framing sacrifice in ways designed to elicit very specific emotions. The process of image-making was entirely in keeping with other forms of mass production at this time. It’s sobering to realize that even supposed records of reality can be deeply ideological, tied to the politics of the moment. Paying attention to the materials and processes used in art challenges us to think critically about an artwork’s social and cultural impact, blurring the lines between documentary and propaganda.