Bovenste gallerij van de patio van het Casa de Pilatos in Sevilla 1862 - 1876

This stereoscopic image captures the upper gallery of the courtyard at Casa de Pilatos in Seville, and was created by Jean Andrieu, who lived during a time of significant change and the rise of ethnographic photography. The image offers an intimate view into a space that blurs the lines between public and private. Courtyards in Spain, particularly in Andalusia, were historically central to domestic life, reflecting a blend of cultural influences from Roman to Moorish. Andrieu’s choice to capture this space invites reflection on its cultural layers and the power dynamics embedded within. Looking at the architecture—the arches, the columns, the intricate latticework—we are reminded of the complex histories of cultural exchange and conquest. Consider how the design itself embodies a dialogue between different worlds, mirroring the artist’s own position as an observer. And think about the stories these walls could tell, of the people who moved through this space, their lives shaped by the currents of history and identity.