Eetzaal van Hotel Zehnpfund, Thale 1868 - 1890

This stereoscopic card, titled "Eetzaal van Hotel Zehnpfund, Thale," presents us with two nearly identical images, side by side, creating an illusion of depth. Note how Adolph Hecht employs this visual technique to offer a compelling perspective of what is titled as ‘Somerset House, London’. The composition relies on the repetition of architectural elements: columns, arches, and windows, arranged along a horizontal axis. This ordered sequence is juxtaposed with the organic forms of trees, their canopies softening the otherwise rigid structure. Hecht manipulates our perception through the dual image format. Each eye receives a slightly different view, which the brain then merges to construct a three-dimensional image. This method destabilizes our understanding of space, offering a constructed reality. The photographic process here is not just a recording of reality, but an interpretation, engaging with questions of how we perceive and understand our surroundings.