Gezicht op Gernrode met de Stiftskerk Sint-Cyriacus 1868 - 1890

This is a stereoscopic photograph of Gernrode in Germany, including the Stiftskirche, or collegiate church, of Saint Cyriacus. It was produced by Hermann Selle, Hof-Photograph of Potsdam, sometime in the late 19th century. Stereoscopic photography was a popular form of entertainment and documentation at the time, giving viewers a sense of depth and realism. Selle was a court photographer, suggesting a certain level of official patronage and a connection to the cultural elite. The image offers a picturesque view of a quaint German town, dominated by its historic church, an interesting example of Ottonian architecture. The composition emphasizes the church's central role in the community, both physically and symbolically. We might ask what this image tells us about the values and priorities of the society that produced and consumed it. Historical archives, local histories, and architectural studies are all useful resources to get at the rich meaning of such an image.