Boulevard de Poppelsdorfer Allee in Bonn, Duitsland 1880 - 1890

Anselm Schmitz made this stereoscopic photograph of the Boulevard de Poppelsdorfer Allee in Bonn, Germany, sometime in the late 19th century. This was a time when photography was not only becoming more accessible to the middle classes, but was also being used to promote European cities as sites of culture and leisure. Looking at this image, think about who is represented and who is not. The boulevard is lined with trees and appears manicured, suggesting a space designed for the enjoyment of the upper classes. We see one figure in the image, a man who looks like he may be a groundskeeper. His presence reminds us of the labor required to maintain such spaces. Stereoscopic photography, with its three-dimensional effect, offered viewers an immersive experience, almost as if they were transported to the scene. But who was this experience really for? This image might reflect the complex social and economic hierarchies of the time, inviting some to imagine themselves strolling along the boulevard, while reminding others of their place in maintaining it.