Gezicht op Wernigerode 1868 - 1890

This stereo card titled "View of Wernigerode" was created by Hermann Selle and published by E. Linde & Co. Stereo cards like this were popular forms of entertainment and documentation in the late 19th century, offering viewers a 3D glimpse into different parts of the world. This particular image gives us a bird's-eye view of Wernigerode, a town in Germany's Harz region. During this period, Germany was undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization, yet images like this also capture a yearning for picturesque, pre-industrial landscapes. What stories does this image tell about identity and place? How does it invite viewers to imagine themselves in relation to this landscape? And how does it shape or reflect societal attitudes towards progress, preservation, and the relationship between humans and the natural world? While offering an aesthetic experience, it simultaneously serves as a historical document that reflects the cultural values and social dynamics of its time.