Königlichen Hofoper in Berlijn 1868 - 1870

This stereoscopic card, depicting the Königlichen Hofoper in Berlin, was created by Johann Friedrich Stiehm, likely in the mid-19th century. The image is a testament to the rise of photography as both a means of documentation and a form of mass-produced art. Stereoscopic cards like this were made through a complex process of photography, printing, and mounting, and they were immensely popular as a form of entertainment and education. The process involved significant labor, from the photographers capturing the initial images to the workers in factories who developed and printed them. The mass production of these images also reflects broader shifts in society, including the rise of consumer culture and the commodification of leisure activities. By examining the materials and processes used to create this stereoscopic card, we can gain insights into the social, economic, and technological forces that shaped the 19th century. This reminds us that even seemingly simple images can reveal complex histories of production, labor, and consumption.