Ridderzaal in het Berliner Stadtschloss, Berlijn 1868 - 1870

This stereoscopic card by Johann Friedrich Stiehm captures the Frans Hals Monument in Haarlem, presenting a dual perspective from around the late 19th century. The monument itself rises as a focal point, its form and detailing captured through Stiehm's lens. The composition emphasizes structure through the calculated arrangement of the statue, pedestal, surrounding greenery, and architectural backdrop. A play of light and shadow models the statue's contours, giving depth to the scene, while the parallel views create an immersive spatial experience, effectively drawing viewers into the depicted locale. This stereoscopic image destabilizes traditional notions of photography as merely a representational medium. Instead, Stiehm creates a deliberate viewing experience that invites contemplation of space, perception, and the symbolic function of monuments. The work functions as a cultural artifact and as an aesthetic object that invites an ongoing dialogue between observer and artwork.