Anaglief van de botanische tuin in Parijs before 1896

This is an anaglyph of the botanical garden in Paris, by Comptoir Suisse de Photographie. This three-dimensional image, with its red and blue contrasts, was made for viewing through special spectacles. In its time, it represented a cutting-edge attempt to simulate the visual experience of modern life. The Botanical Gardens themselves were, in their origins, a progressive institution associated with scientific advancement. It was founded in the 17th century as a medicinal herb garden but was later used to promote the study of botany. Considered in our own time, the anaglyph reminds us of the way public institutions like museums, as well as more ephemeral visual media, work together to shape the way we see the world. To understand this image better, one might research the history of photography and the importance of botanical science in 19th century France. This will show us the way the institution and the image played their own unique roles.