Gezicht op de Hartjesberg bij Arnhem 1860 - 1885

This stereocard, titled 'Gezicht op de Hartjesberg bij Arnhem' was made by Pieter Oosterhuis in the Netherlands, using a photographic process. This image isn't just a pretty view; it's a glimpse into the rapidly changing world of the 19th century. Oosterhuis has captured a moment in time where nature and industry collide: a train carriage sits in front of a leafy backdrop. The scene reflects the way industrial expansion impacted both labor and the landscape. Photography itself, of course, was a product of industrial innovation, and its use here speaks to the increasing accessibility and power of this new technology. Consider the labor involved not only in constructing the railway and the carriage, but also in the making of the photograph. The photographer, the railway workers, even the person who might have purchased this stereocard – all are part of a complex web of production and consumption. Thinking about images like this forces us to expand what we consider art. It encourages us to appreciate the social and material context that shaped its creation.