Botenbrug over de Rijn tussen Koblenz en fort Ehrenbreitstein 1864 - 1880

This stereoscopic photograph, by Jules Marinier, captures the bridge over the Rhine between Koblenz and Fort Ehrenbreitstein. The subdued sepia tones create a sense of distance, both temporally and spatially. Marinier's photograph is structured around a central horizontal axis formed by the bridge, which serves as a physical and visual link between the city and the fortress. The composition employs a balanced symmetry across the two images, with the city buildings mirrored, creating a unified and harmonious image. The flatness and limited tonal range emphasize the photograph's surface, drawing attention to its materiality as a constructed image rather than a mere representation. The stereoscopic effect invites us to consider how photography can manipulate perception and create its own kind of reality. This effect adds depth and volume, transforming a flat image into a three-dimensional experience. It prompts questions about the nature of representation and how we perceive and understand space. This photograph is a dialogue between form and function, inviting ongoing interpretation and critical engagement.