Gezicht op de haven van New York vanaf de East River Bridge 1868 - 1890

This stereoscopic image shows the harbor of New York City as seen from the East River Bridge, and was made by Christian Petersen, whose studio was based in South Brooklyn. The image offers insight into the social and economic conditions of New York in this period. The prominence of steamships highlights New York's status as a major port for trade and immigration. The bridge itself, still under construction at the time, represented technological progress and the city's ambition. Stereoscopic images like these were marketed as affordable views for ordinary people, promoting a sense of national identity and shared experience. Petersen, like many commercial photographers, capitalized on the public's fascination with new technologies and cityscapes. He even advertised he would exchange the stereoscopic images for stamps. To fully understand the image's significance, one might consult period newspapers and city directories, shedding light on Petersen's business and the social context in which it operated. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.