Salon voor Victoria van het Verenigd Koninkrijk in het Grand Trianon 1860 - 1880

This stereo card, titled "Salon voor Victoria van het Verenigd Koninkrijk in het Grand Trianon," was made by Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy. The sepia tones of the photograph emphasize the textures of the space. Look closely at the ornate mantle above the fireplace, and the delicate detail in the table and chairs. What kind of labor went into creating this space? Skilled artisans worked in the tradition of fine art. The elaborate plasterwork and the precisely laid parquetry floor are evidence of traditional techniques of interior design. Photography itself was a relatively new medium at this time. The production of stereo cards like this one relied on industrial processes to produce these prints. But unlike the unique craft object, the photograph could be reproduced endlessly, allowing the image of elite taste to be circulated widely, both reflecting and influencing the world of design. Looking closely at the making and context of this photograph challenges us to reconsider historical hierarchies between art, craft, and design.