Koninklijk Postkantoor aan de Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, Amsterdam 1859

Pieter Oosterhuis created this stereograph of the Royal Post Office in Amsterdam, using a photographic technique that creates a 3D effect when viewed through a stereoscope. Here we see the imposing facade of the Post Office reflected in the canal, a potent symbol of Dutch civic pride and progress in the 19th century. The photograph was likely taken sometime in the 1860s, a time when the Netherlands was undergoing rapid modernization. The building itself speaks volumes about the period's values. Its neo-classical architecture suggests stability, order, and a connection to the historical roots of European civilization. These carefully crafted images were consumed widely, shaping perceptions and contributing to the construction of a shared national identity. By studying sources like architectural plans, postal service records, and publications of the time, we can gain a deeper understanding of the values and aspirations embedded within this photograph.