Monument Brunswick te Genève 1880 - 1900

This is a stereoscopic card, a photograph in two parts, of the Brunswick Monument in Geneva, Switzerland, likely made in the late 19th century. The monument commemorates Charles II, Duke of Brunswick, a controversial figure who left his fortune to the city of Geneva. Monuments like this were, and are, about power. They are visual testaments to who and what a society chooses to value. This one, built in the Neo-Gothic style, mimics ancient tombs and cathedrals, linking Brunswick to a lineage of power and prestige, despite his complicated legacy. The monument stands in stark contrast to the commoners in the horse-drawn carriage, illustrating the class divisions inherent in such grand displays. Notice how the stereoscopic format itself invites a kind of looking that's both intimate and detached, much like the relationship between the viewer and the monument. It's a frozen moment, a scene carefully constructed to project an image of power and permanence, raising questions about who gets remembered and how.