Toegangsportaal van het Stadhuis van Keulen c. 1860 - 1870

This stereoscopic photograph, made by Anselm Schmitz, presents the entrance portal of Cologne's City Hall. During Schmitz's lifetime, Cologne was undergoing significant reconstruction and urban development, reflecting a broader trend of modernization across Europe. Photography at this time served not only as documentation but also as a tool for shaping civic identity. The artist captures the grandeur of the building, emphasizing its imposing architecture. Consider how the monumental scale and neo-Gothic style might have been used to evoke a sense of historical continuity and civic pride. The choice of a stereoscopic format invites viewers to experience a heightened sense of realism, placing them imaginatively within the public space of Cologne. The photograph reflects the values and aspirations of a society undergoing rapid change, and how this public architecture embodies notions of power, progress, and collective memory.