Hypnos en Thanatos in het Neues Museum, Berlijn 1868 - 1870

This stereoscopic card, created by Johann Friedrich Stiehm, presents the sculpture ‘Hypnos and Thanatos’ displayed in the Neues Museum in Berlin. Stereoscopic cards like this were a common form of visual culture in the 19th century. Mass-produced, they allowed viewers to experience a sense of depth and realism, and brought art and faraway places into the home. The card itself is a product of industrial processes, involving photography, printing, and mass distribution. Note the publisher's imprint, and how the work is titled ‘No. 120. Schlaf und Tod, Museum, Berlin,’ reminiscent of industrial cataloging systems. This speaks to the commodification of art and culture during this period. These cards democratized access to art, but also transformed it into a consumer good. In this way, it blurs the boundaries between art, entertainment, and commerce, reflecting the changing social and economic landscape of the 19th century.