Kapel van het oude raadhuis en de astronomische klok, Praag 1855 - 1868

This stereoscopic photograph of the Chapel of the Old Town Hall and the Astronomical Clock in Prague was created by František Fridrich. The sepia tones and the stereoscopic effect enhance the architectural details of the buildings, emphasizing their three-dimensional structure and texture. The composition invites us to consider the relationship between representation and reality through photographic medium. Note how the symmetrical arrangement of the buildings across the two panels creates a dialogue between the two images. The image not only captures the buildings but also offers a visual exploration of space and depth, as we analyze architecture through the lens of structuralism. The repetitive architectural elements, the windows and the spires, are arranged within a rigid framework. Fridrich's stereoscopic photograph challenges our perception by destabilizing the traditional view point. The building becomes not just a subject, but also a signifier in a larger semiotic system.