Entree van Slot Bellevue, Berlijn. Man met kind naast de poort 1868 - 1870

This stereoscopic image of the Entrance to Bellevue Palace in Berlin was made by Johann Friedrich Stiehm in the late 19th century, using the relatively new technology of photography. Beyond the immediate representation of a well-known landmark, the image offers a glimpse into the social dynamics of the time. The photograph invites us to consider the cultural context in which the palace existed. Built in the late 18th century, Bellevue Palace served as a royal residence. Stiehm's photograph captures not just the architecture but also the relationship between the palace and the public, as we can see by the man and child in the foreground. Understanding the political and social landscape of 19th-century Germany—its class structure, its attitudes toward the monarchy, and its burgeoning sense of national identity—allows us to interpret the photograph on a deeper level. We can learn more through archives, newspapers and other period documents.