Exterieur van de Dom van Naumburg c. 1860 - 1880

This is a stereocard image of the exterior of the Dom of Naumburg, captured by E. Schüler. The lack of readily available information about Schüler throws the socio-historical context of the image into sharp relief. Stereocards like this one were mass-produced and consumed, allowing viewers to experience a semblance of travel and exploration from their own homes. The Dom itself, a significant historical site, represents power and faith, yet its portrayal in a stereocard flattens its cultural relevance into a consumable commodity. What narratives are silenced or amplified through this medium? Consider how identity and history converge in this image. The architectural grandeur and the intimate, almost domestic scale of the stereocard collide to create an accessible monument. It invites us to ponder on how we engage with history. Does it promote understanding, or does it create distance between the viewer and the cultural weight of a place like the Naumburg Dom?