Gezicht op een badhuis in Spa 1866 - 1870

This stereoscopic photograph depicts a bathhouse in Spa, captured by Jules Hippolyte Quéval. The sepia tones and the symmetrical composition create a sense of classical formality. The architectural structure dominates, its façade precisely framed. The bathhouse’s symmetrical layout and the parallel perspective lines invite us to examine how Quéval uses space to convey stability and order. The use of stereoscopy adds depth, creating a three-dimensional viewing experience that enhances the building's presence. Considering structuralism, we see the bathhouse as a sign, encoding social and cultural meanings about leisure and health. The photograph, therefore, doesn’t just represent a building, but communicates ideas about societal values and the constructed environment. This interplay between representation and meaning is central to understanding its cultural impact.