Gezicht op St. George's Hall in Liverpool c. 1860 - 1890

Editor: So, this is a stereoscopic card by E. & H.T. Anthony, titled "Gezicht op St. George's Hall in Liverpool," dating back to sometime between 1860 and 1890. It's really striking – this almost uncanny repetition, and all the activity in front of this imposing building. It looks so staged. What do you see in this piece, especially in relation to its historical context? Curator: What I see is a fascinating collision of power, visibility, and the everyday. St. George’s Hall, an emblem of British civic pride and imperial reach, stands as a backdrop to a bustling street scene. But consider the street itself - who has access, who is seen, whose story is considered important enough to document? The choice to create this stereoscopic image—a popular form of entertainment for middle-class Victorians—further complicates this. How does this type of staged, commercialized "reality" shape perceptions of the city and its inhabitants? Editor: That's interesting. So, it’s not just a record of the Hall, but also about who had the power to create and consume images like this? Curator: Precisely. The rise of photography coincided with significant social upheaval and inequality, consider labor laws, workers conditions, consider who benefits from these social and material structures. This image serves as both a historical record and a curated view of the world, obscuring the lived experiences of many while glorifying civic order and architectural grandeur. It encourages us to examine whose narratives are being prioritized and amplified. Does seeing the image this way shift your understanding? Editor: It really does. I was initially drawn to the aesthetics, but now I am really thinking about how much it reveals, and conceals, about Victorian society. It's more than just a pretty picture. Curator: Absolutely. It highlights the critical importance of questioning representation, agency, and power dynamics within historical artworks. Editor: I'll definitely keep that in mind going forward. Thanks for your insights!