Glyptothek aan de Königsplatz, München 1868 - 1890

Editor: Here we have Johann Friedrich Stiehm's "Glyptothek aan de Königsplatz, München," an albumen print dating from 1868 to 1890. There's something inherently fascinating about seeing architecture captured with such early photographic techniques. How do you see the material conditions influencing its impact? Curator: For me, this albumen print is fascinating precisely because of the way it reveals the social and material context of art production in the late 19th century. We need to consider the labor involved in producing albumen prints, the industrial processes necessary to create photographic materials. Think of the consumption that drove the popularity of stereoscopic views like this – mass-produced images transforming the experience of travel and architecture into a commodity. What about the architectural choice captured by this technology? Editor: I see what you mean. I hadn't considered it in those terms, the image as a commodity. Looking at the stark, classical lines of the building against what appears to be bare land, I suppose, perpetuates a certain ideology through its very composition. Curator: Precisely! The choice of neoclassical architecture for a public building reinforces particular ideas about history, power, and culture. The materiality of this photograph, and the means of its production, both reflect and reinforce the dominant ideologies of the time. Do you see any clues of that dominant ideology expressed in this built environment? Editor: Yes, I see the imposing pillars, and symmetry conveying a sense of power. Thinking about the social context adds another dimension. Thank you for expanding my perspective on this piece, considering it within the framework of materials and their cultural significance. Curator: Likewise! Considering the photograph itself as a constructed object, subject to the conditions of its creation and circulation, helps us to deconstruct its intended message and reveal the complex interplay between art, technology, and society.