Exterieur van het Wilhelma te Stuttgart c. 1860 - 1880

Ludwig Schaller made this stereoscopic photograph of the Wilhelma in Stuttgart at an unknown date. The photographic process, although celebrated for its capacity to mechanically reproduce reality, depends on many human interventions. The artist had to pose the subjects, make decisions about lighting and exposure time, and carefully develop the glass plate to bring the image to life. Moreover, it was then printed on an albumin paper. This material support had the ability to faithfully reproduce tones and details in the final print. Looking closely at the scene, we see a manicured landscape, reflecting a world of social elites and leisure. This brings up issues of labor, politics, and consumption, for the image suggests the amount of work involved in its production, from the maintenance of the gardens to the skilled processes involved in its creation. This photograph challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the complex processes and social context that shaped its meaning.