Gezicht op de Torre del Oro in Sevilla 1862 - 1876

This stereoscopic photograph of the Torre del Oro in Seville was made by Jean Andrieu sometime in the mid-19th century. The stereoscopic form, creating a three-dimensional effect when viewed through a special device, speaks to the burgeoning culture of mass media and entertainment in Europe at this time. The Torre del Oro, or "Golden Tower," was originally built by the Almohad dynasty, who ruled this part of Spain in the 12th and 13th centuries. The tower served as a military watchtower and part of the city's defenses. Andrieu's photograph captures not just the physical structure, but also the weight of history and cultural exchange embodied in the architecture. Spain was experiencing considerable political turmoil. The country was struggling to maintain its colonial empire. The photograph, as a document of a specific time and place, becomes a valuable historical artifact. By studying such photographs alongside other historical sources, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex social and political forces that shaped the world we inhabit today.