Gezicht op Place de la Concorde in Parijs met de Luxor obelisk c. 1850 - 1880

This stereoscopic photograph, capturing the Place de la Concorde in Paris with the Luxor Obelisk, was created by Hippolyte Jouvin. The sepia tones lend a nostalgic air, emphasizing the geometry of the Parisian architecture. Notice how the composition is structured around vertical elements. The obelisk and decorative columns punctuate the scene, creating a rhythmic visual pattern. This verticality contrasts with the horizontal expanse of the square, offering a play of perspective. Jouvin uses the architecture to frame the space, guiding the viewer's eye through the scene. Photography at this time offered new ways of seeing and representing space. This image invites contemplation on how photography captures and constructs our perception of reality. It also destabilizes our understanding of perspective, challenging what we think we know about space and representation. The photograph's formal qualities – its tonal range, compositional structure, and manipulation of perspective – engage with broader cultural and philosophical questions about vision and representation. This photograph is not just an aesthetic object, but a site where ideas about perception and power converge.