Binnenhof van het kasteel van Saint-Cloud before 1870

Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy made this stereoscopic photograph of the Binnenhof of the Château de Saint-Cloud in France. Stereoscopic photographs like this one were immensely popular in the mid-19th century as a form of mass media and entertainment. The dual images, when viewed through a stereoscope, created a three-dimensional effect, offering viewers a virtual experience of places they might never visit. The Château de Saint-Cloud, a symbol of French royalty and later imperial power, was frequently depicted. This photograph reflects the Second Empire's fascination with grandeur and spectacle. The Château itself, with its formal gardens and imposing architecture, embodies the era's aspirations. It acted as a backdrop for courtly life and political events, therefore photography served to disseminate images of power and reinforce social hierarchies. To understand this photograph, historians consult archives, newspapers, and other visual materials. This allows us to see how such imagery played a role in shaping public opinion and reinforcing dominant social norms.