Gezicht op Westminster Abbey c. 1860 - 1880

This stereoscopic card, “Gezicht op Westminster Abbey,” was created by York & Son. The architecture of Westminster Abbey has been a witness to centuries of British history and power. The Abbey stands not merely as a religious edifice, but as a powerful symbol of the British Empire, deeply interwoven with narratives of colonialism, class, and national identity. Within its walls, monarchs were crowned, and national heroes were laid to rest, but this history often overshadowed the complex stories of those who built it, maintained it, and were excluded from its hallowed halls. Stereoscopic images like this one provided a window into British culture, allowing people to possess a piece of the Empire, feeding into the prevailing attitudes of the time. The Abbey represents a nexus of cultural and political power. It is a place where the weight of history and the complexities of national identity converge.