Gezicht op de spoorbrug over de Rijn bij Kehl c. 1861s - 1871s

Jules Marinier captured this stereo photograph of the railway bridge over the Rhine near Kehl using the wet collodion process, which was state-of-the-art for its time. The process involved coating a glass plate with light-sensitive chemicals. Because the plate had to remain wet during exposure, the photographer needed a portable darkroom to prepare and develop the image on the spot. Notice the rich, detailed tones achieved through this method, and the incredible depth of field that brings the bridge and its setting into sharp focus. The choice of photography itself speaks to the cultural moment, as industrial progress brought new technologies and ways of seeing the world. Bridges, like the railway bridge seen here, came to symbolize industrial advancement, connecting communities and facilitating trade. Consider the labor and resources involved in constructing such a massive infrastructure project, all captured through the relatively new medium of photography. By considering these elements – materials, processes, and social context – we gain a deeper appreciation for this photograph and its place in history.