Gezicht op Genève c. 1850 - 1880

Florentin Charnaux captured this stereoscopic view of Geneva using photography, a medium still relatively new, lending a sense of modernity to a traditional subject. The muted tones and symmetrical composition create a serene, almost dreamlike atmosphere, inviting contemplation. The formal arrangement of the image follows a clear structure: The river bisects the composition horizontally, anchored by the solid bridge and the trees that punctuate the foreground. In the distance, the city and the mountain create a layered backdrop. The stereoscopic effect enhances depth, creating a more immersive visual experience that engages the viewer's perception of space. The photograph flattens the three-dimensional world into a series of tonal relationships and structured forms. This technique is rooted in the semiotic understanding of photography as a system of signs. Charnaux's photograph challenges fixed meanings and invites us to reconsider the interplay between reality and representation.