Koninklijk Postkantoor aan de Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, Amsterdam 1854 - 1865

Pieter Oosterhuis made this photograph of the Koninklijk Postkantoor in Amsterdam using the stereo card format, popular in the mid-19th century. Amsterdam in this period was a city in transition, grappling with industrialization and its burgeoning role in global trade. The Postkantoor, a symbol of modernity, efficiency, and the reach of the state, stands as a testament to these shifts. Oosterhuis’s choice of the stereo card format is interesting, as it invited viewers to experience a kind of hyper-reality. Consider the emotional implications: while the photograph documents a specific place and time, it also speaks to broader themes of progress, connectivity, and the changing landscape of urban life. It's a potent reminder of how even seemingly straightforward images can carry complex layers of meaning and feeling.