Unter den Linden, Berlijn 1868 - 1870

This stereoscopic photograph of Unter den Linden in Berlin was created by Johann Friedrich Stiehm. This seemingly straightforward image invites a deeper look into 19th-century urban life and identity. Notice the sparse figures; their attire subtly hints at social class. The grand architecture, a display of imperial ambition, looms over the residents, perhaps dwarfing their presence. As Germany underwent rapid industrialization, Berlin became a stage for societal contrasts. Stiehm's photograph captures this tension, with its quiet street scene set against the backdrop of rising nationalism and militarism. He presents a world where daily life is both framed and overshadowed by the structures of power. Consider how this image reflects the hopes and anxieties of a society on the cusp of modernity. It is both a portrait of a place and a mirror to the complex identities shaped by its historical moment.