Uitzichtpunt Mooshütte boven Bad Ems, Duitsland 1862 - 1872

This stereo card shows a tranquil scene in Bad Ems, Germany, captured by Laurentius Herzog. While undated, we can place it in the latter half of the 19th century. Here, the river Lahn reflects the grand buildings and tree-lined promenade of this spa town. Rows of boats hint at leisure activities available to visitors seeking the supposed health benefits of the town’s mineral springs. Bad Ems was known as a resort town that attracted Europe’s elite. The very act of viewing this image was a form of entertainment that speaks to the increasing commodification of leisure and travel at this time. The rise of photography and mass media made places like Bad Ems accessible to a wider audience, shaping perceptions and desires related to travel and social status. Understanding the context of this image requires us to examine social and economic shifts of 19th-century Europe, considering the rise of tourism, the development of photography, and the cultural values that shaped leisure practices. By researching these cultural factors, the image reveals a society in transition.