Houten huis aan de voet van de Mont Blanc, Frankrijk 1880 - 1915

This stereocard, “Wooden House at the Foot of Mont Blanc, France," was created by Eugène Hanau. Stereocards like this one were a popular form of entertainment, offering a sense of virtual travel to places near and far. Consider what it meant to travel in the 19th century, when photography began to flourish. For many, especially women and the working class, travel remained an unfulfilled dream. Stereocards offered a vicarious experience, shaping perceptions of distant lands and cultures. The romanticized view of a rustic wooden house against the majestic Mont Blanc evokes a sense of longing and escape. It invites viewers to imagine a simpler life in harmony with nature. But, we must also ask, what narratives were excluded from these idealized images? Whose stories were not told? As you observe this image, think about the complex layers of desire, identity, and representation it embodies.