Latonavijver in de tuin van Versailles c. 1860 - 1880

This stereoscopic photograph by Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy shows the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles. This was likely made in the mid-to-late 19th century, when stereo cards were a popular form of entertainment. Versailles was built by Louis XIV and is a monument to the power of the French monarchy. The gardens were an important part of the palace complex, designed to showcase the king's control over nature. The Latona Fountain, with its mythological subject matter and elaborate waterworks, perfectly embodies this idea. The image, through its distribution as a stereo card, reveals the commodification of the palace as a tourist destination. Examining Lamy's photograph through its historical context allows us to consider the ways in which institutions like Versailles shaped not only artistic production but also social and political life in France. By consulting archival materials like tourist guides and royal records, we can better understand the complex relationship between art, power, and society in 19th-century France.