Kade van de Theems c. 1860 - 1880

This is Frederick York's stereoscopic photograph, "Kade van de Theems," a composition using albumen print on card stock, offering us a dual perspective on the Thames Embankment. York employs a formal structure rooted in duplication and symmetry to create depth. The twin images, almost identical, invite our eyes to merge them, thus constructing a three-dimensional viewing experience. Notice how the linear precision of the trees, buildings and bridge contrasts with the flow of the Thames. The architectural linearity of the buildings is juxtaposed with the organic forms of the trees, set against the backdrop of a sky that is almost absent, reduced to a mere suggestion. The photograph’s form emphasizes the burgeoning industrialization of London and the reshaping of its natural landscape. The image functions as a commentary on the relationship between nature and modernity, underscoring the artificiality of the natural landscape, reduced here to a decorative element within the urban structure. It suggests a broader cultural narrative on order, perception and control.