Snow figures and East front of Palace, night scene 1886 - 1888

This stereoscopic card, by Henry Hamilton Bennett, captures a night scene of snow figures and the east front of an ice palace. The sepia tones and the stereoscopic format lend the scene a dreamlike quality. The composition is structured by the contrast between the solidity of the snow sculptures in the foreground and the ephemeral glow of the ice palace behind. The sculptures, arranged in rows, lead the eye towards the palace, creating depth and perspective. The use of light is particularly striking. The sculptures and palace are illuminated, emphasizing their forms and textures. The stereoscopic technique enhances the sense of depth, inviting the viewer to step into this winter wonderland. The photograph functions not merely as a record of an event but as a semiotic landscape, challenging our perceptions of space and reality.