Gezicht op de Steigersgracht in Rotterdam 1858

Charles-Henri Plaut created this stereoscopic image of the Steigersgracht in Rotterdam sometime in the mid-19th century. Photography at this time was more than a new technology; it was a novel way of seeing, one that paralleled the rapid changes in social structures and urban development. Plaut's choice to capture the Steigersgracht offers a glimpse into a specific moment of urban life. The Netherlands, with its complex class structures and deep colonial ties, was undergoing significant transformations. As you look at the architecture and the details of the canal, consider the lives of those who lived and worked here. How did the realities of gender, class, and race shape their experiences of this urban landscape? Plaut's photograph encourages us to reflect on the multifaceted stories embedded in the everyday scenes around us. It is not just an image of a canal; it is a mirror reflecting the complexities of a society in transition.