Gezicht op de Place de la Bourse te Parijs c. 1850 - 1875

This stereograph of the Place de la Bourse in Paris was created by the London Stereoscopic Company. It presents us with a dual image, a technique popular in the 19th century to create a three-dimensional effect when viewed through a stereoscope. Reflect on the era's fascination with capturing and archiving reality through photography and consider how this aligned with the rise of empirical science and colonialism. These images provided a window into distant lands and cultures, often reinforcing existing power dynamics and shaping perceptions of otherness. The Place de la Bourse, a center of economic activity, symbolizes the burgeoning capitalism of the time. The bustling streets filled with people from different social strata, illustrate the complex social fabric of Parisian life. Yet, the photograph’s perspective may conceal as much as it reveals. Who is included and who is excluded from this representation of Parisian society? What stories remain untold? Consider how visual media shapes our understanding of history and prompts us to question the narratives presented to us.