Slot Stolzenfels met op de achtergrond Lahnstein aan de monding van de Lahn in de Rijn, Duitsland 1878

This is a stereoscopic photograph of Stolzenfels Castle with Lahnstein in the background, at the mouth of the Lahn in the Rhine, Germany, taken by Sophus Williams around 1878. Considered through the lens of the late 19th century, this image presents not just a castle, but a constructed vision of German identity rooted in Romanticism. This aesthetic movement emphasized emotion, the individual, and the glorification of the past. This photograph aestheticizes a specific narrative of German heritage. As Germany underwent industrialization and unification, images like these reinforced a sense of national pride and cultural distinctiveness. Williams’ photograph catered to a bourgeoisie audience eager to connect with what was considered a glorious past. The stereoscopic format itself offered a kind of immersive experience, allowing viewers to feel as though they were transported to the scenic Rhine Valley. This photograph then, served as both a reflection of, and a contributor to, the evolving sense of German identity in a rapidly changing world.