Fordd Nevin 1859

This albumen silver print called Fordd Nevin was made by Roger Fenton. The image presents a stereoscopic view of a landscape, a photographic technology which was gaining popularity in Britain at the time. But how can we understand its cultural significance? Stereoscopic photographs were part of a broader Victorian interest in realism and scientific documentation. The rise of photography was changing the way people perceived and understood the world around them. Fenton was one of the pioneers of art photography, yet he also took on work for the British military. His work was deeply embedded within the Victorian values of progress, imperialism, and scientific advancement. To fully grasp its place in history, we might consider what this image meant to its original viewers, how it was displayed and circulated, and how it fits into the broader history of photography and visual culture.