Gezicht op Mariánské Lázně 1865 - 1885

Ernst Pflanz made this stereo card view of Mariánské Lázně, now in the Czech Republic, using photography, a technology that democratized image-making. The card offered a seemingly objective, 3D view, yet its creation and distribution were shaped by social forces. As tourism grew, so did the market for souvenir images, and stereo cards became popular keepsakes for middle-class travelers eager to document their experiences. Here, Mariánské Lázně is framed as an idyllic spa town nestled amidst nature. But this sanitized image elides the labor and resources required to build and maintain the town. The spa catered to elites seeking leisure and health, a privilege unavailable to most. Understanding this image requires us to look beyond its surface. By examining travel guides, social histories, and economic records, we can uncover the complex social relations embedded within this seemingly simple view. Art, even in mass-produced form, is always contingent on its social and institutional context.