Gezicht op de Dom van Siena c. 1860 - 1880

Giorgio Sommer created this stereoscopic card of the Siena Cathedral using albumen silver print. The architectural facade fills the composition and invites an aesthetic contemplation on spatial representation. The double image, a hallmark of stereoscopic photography, emphasizes depth. The cathedral's facade is rendered with remarkable clarity and precision, and the architectural details—pointed arches, rose windows, and intricate sculptures—become prominent, which highlights its Gothic design. This technique allows for a dimensional viewing experience, creating an illusion of depth. The use of stereoscopy heightens the viewer’s perception of the cathedral’s imposing structure. The sepia tones, typical of albumen prints, evoke a sense of nostalgia, and its formal qualities invite us to consider the dialogue between photography and architectural representation. The work destabilizes the traditional notions of space by rendering the three-dimensional into a tangible format.