Galerij aan de binnenplaats van het Paleis van de prins-bisschoppen in Luik 1866 - 1870

This photograph of the Galerie aan de binnenplaats van het Paleis van de prins-bisschoppen in Luik was produced by Jules Hippolyte Quéval in the mid-19th century, using a process called stereography. This method involves a specialized camera with two lenses, mimicking the way our eyes perceive depth. When viewed through a stereoscope, two nearly identical images merge, creating a three-dimensional effect. The sepia tone results from the chemical development process on albumen paper, a popular choice at the time for its fine detail and tonal range. The choice of subject is interesting. While Quéval was obviously interested in the aesthetic qualities of the palace, he was also participating in a growing tourist industry, as people sought new ways to see and experience the world. What’s more, it is significant to think about how photography democratized images, and what it means to make architecture visible and reproducible. The image’s material and making are therefore critical to fully understanding its value and function.