Standbeeld van Ary Scheffer in Dordrecht 1873 - 1890

This stereoscopic card depicts the Standbeeld van Ary Scheffer in Dordrecht. Though the photographer is unknown, the process used – stereoscopy – was popular in the late 19th century. A double image, taken from slightly different angles, is mounted side-by-side on a card. When viewed through a special viewer, the two images merge into a single, three-dimensional picture. The statue itself is likely bronze or stone, materials traditionally associated with public monuments. These were often created through labor-intensive processes like casting or carving, requiring skilled artisans. Stereoscopy, meanwhile, was a relatively accessible technology, allowing for mass production and distribution of images. The combination of these two processes speaks to the democratizing potential of photography. While the statue commemorates a notable figure, the stereoscopic card makes this monument accessible to a wider audience, challenging traditional notions of art and its consumption. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images are deeply embedded in social and technological contexts.