Interieur van Crystal Palace in Sydenham met beelden en fontein c. 1870 - 1890

This stereograph shows the interior of the Crystal Palace in Sydenham, a monument to industry and global trade, built of iron and glass. The Crystal Palace was initially erected in Hyde Park for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Relocated to Sydenham, it became an icon of Victorian engineering. The photograph’s monochromatic tones reveal the structure's grandeur, while the stereographic format provides a sense of depth, placing the viewer within the vast space. The mass-produced iron beams and panes of glass signify the industrial revolution, while the assembly of the structure reflects new methods of production and labor. The building itself became an exhibit, a display of the possibilities of industrial manufacturing. The Crystal Palace blurred the lines between architecture, engineering, and art, challenging traditional categories and embodying the innovative spirit of the Victorian era.