This is Hippolyte Jouvin’s stereoscopic view of the Église Saint-Eustache and possibly the Rue Rambuteau in Paris. Jouvin was active during a time of immense social change in France, particularly during the Second Empire under Napoleon III, who was authoritarian but was dedicated to modernizing Paris. The image presents a slice of Parisian life, but it’s worth considering who is seen, and who isn’t. The wide avenue, bustling with activity, suggests a city open to all, yet access to this new Paris was largely dictated by class. The grand boulevards were often built at the expense of working-class neighborhoods. This image captures the beauty and progress of the era, but also hints at the social stratifications that defined Parisian society. The choice of a stereoscopic format also speaks to the desires of the time, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the scene, to almost step into this carefully constructed vision of Parisian modernity.