Exterieur van de Henry VII Chapel van Westminster Abbey c. 1860 - 1880

This stereograph, made by Frederick York, shows the exterior of the Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey. Made using photography, a relatively new medium in the 19th century, it provided a way for people to experience faraway places through mass-produced imagery. The image gives an illusion of three-dimensionality when viewed through a stereoscope, an attempt to replicate human vision through a mechanical device. The photographic process itself was tied to industrial developments, relying on chemical processes and mass production techniques to create these images. The choice of subject matter - a grand architectural feat - speaks to a desire to capture the sublime and share it widely. This kind of photograph would have been distributed widely and cheaply, bringing new forms of cultural experience to a broad audience. The production and consumption of these images reflect the changing dynamics of labor, politics, and consumption during the Industrial Revolution. By examining the materials and processes involved in creating this stereograph, we gain insight into the social and cultural context of its time, blurring the lines between art, craft, and industry.