Gezicht op de Dom van Keulen c. 1860 - 1865

Theodor Wilhelm Schönscheidt made this stereoscopic photograph of the Cologne Cathedral, likely in the late 19th century. Stereoscopic photography was a popular form of entertainment, and this image offered viewers the illusion of three-dimensionality, bringing the grandeur of the cathedral into their homes. The cathedral itself is a potent symbol. Construction began in the medieval period but was left unfinished for centuries. Its completion in 1880, not long before this photograph was made, was a major event in Germany, a sign of national pride and unity under Prussian leadership. Schönscheidt’s image, mass-produced and widely circulated, contributed to the cathedral's iconic status. To understand this image fully, we can consult archival records, newspapers, and guidebooks from the period, to learn more about the cathedral's symbolic importance and how it was used to shape national identity. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context, never just the product of individual genius.