Ruiters in Hyde Park te Londen c. 1890 - 1910

This stereograph, made in London during the late 19th century by an anonymous photographer, shows riders in Hyde Park. The very process by which this image was made and distributed speaks volumes about the social and cultural context of its time. Stereographs like this one were mass-produced by companies such as The Great Western View Co., and offered middle-class consumers a taste of leisure and travel. The scene itself depicts Rotten Row, a famous avenue in Hyde Park known for horseback riding, primarily frequented by the upper classes. The image thus encapsulates the social stratification of Victorian England. While the burgeoning middle class could purchase and enjoy the *image* of aristocratic leisure, the actual experience of riding in Hyde Park remained largely exclusive to the wealthy. To fully understand this photograph, we must consider the history of photography as a developing industry, the rise of mass media, and the social dynamics of Victorian England. By consulting historical archives, we can gain a richer understanding of the image.