Piazzetta San Marco te Venetië c. 1855 - 1865

This stereoscopic photograph of the Piazzetta San Marco in Venice was captured by Ferrier Père-Fils et Soulier. While the scene appears timeless, the photograph itself is evidence of a particular moment in the history of image-making. Stereoscopy involves a double camera and printing process, creating a 3-D effect. This was a popular form of entertainment in the 19th century, but it also speaks to the increasing mechanization of visual culture. The photograph flattens the buildings and the landscape, turning it into a commodity, available for mass consumption. In that sense, the image is less about the unique qualities of Venice itself, and more about the modern system of labor that allowed the image to be created and widely distributed. Ultimately, this photo challenges our assumptions about art and craft, and reveals that even the most seemingly straightforward images are shaped by complex social and economic forces.