Man met slaapmuts en een jonge vrouw c. 1855 - 1870

Adolphe Block made this stereoscopic photograph, Man met slaapmuts en een jonge vrouw, in France at some point during his career. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the world of 19th-century popular entertainment. Stereoscopic photos like these were quite popular from the 1850s through to the early 20th century. Viewed through a special viewer, they created a 3D effect that was all the rage before the advent of cinema. Block was one of many photographers who produced these cards, which were often staged and theatrical, designed to amuse and entertain a mass audience. What I find particularly interesting is the way this image plays with gender roles and social expectations, which perhaps challenged the social norms of the time. The comedic element is also really important to consider. To understand this photo, one might explore the popular entertainments of the time, like vaudeville, or contemporary understandings of domesticity. It’s this kind of historical investigation that really brings an image like this to life.