Varens te Derbyshire c. 1850 - 1880

“Varens te Derbyshire” is a mounted albumen print stereocard, made by H. Petschler & Co. These stereocards gained popularity in the mid-19th century, a time marked by the rise of industrialization and urbanization. Mass culture and commodity fetishism went hand in hand with the emergence of a Victorian middle class, who used images to navigate their relationship to modernity and consumerism. Stereocards catered to a desire for both escapism and knowledge. The image before us, of ferns in Derbyshire, provided a window onto untouched nature, away from the pollution of British cities. This allowed viewers to experience a vicarious relationship to travel, science and culture. Through the seemingly objective medium of photography, there was a sense of being transported, regardless of one’s physical reality. However, it's important to remember that even these seemingly innocuous images were shaped by prevailing social norms. By understanding the cultural context in which these images were created, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complex interplay between identity, representation, and desire in the Victorian era.