Gezicht op de binnenplaats en de hoofdingang van het Palacio de San Telmo in Sevilla 1862 - 1876

This stereoscopic image of the Palacio de San Telmo in Seville was made by Jean Andrieu sometime in the mid-19th century. It’s a double image printed on card stock, designed to create a three-dimensional effect when viewed through a special device. Andrieu was one of many photographers drawn to this technique, which offered a compelling illusion of depth at a time when photography was still a relatively new medium. Beyond its representational qualities, we can consider the material and social aspects of this print. Photography in the 1800s required complex chemistry, a darkroom, and specialized knowledge. The rise of photography was tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption, and the amount of work involved in the production process. Prints like this one became relatively affordable, making the world accessible in a new way. Looking closely, we can consider not only the architecture of the palace, but also the historical context of image-making itself, bridging the gap between art, craft, and technology.