Gezicht op een galerij aan de binnenplaats van het Paleis van de prins-bisschoppen in Luik 1866 - 1870

This stereograph shows the gallery in the courtyard of the Prince-Bishops' Palace in Liège, created by Jules Hippolyte Quéval. The subdued monochrome palette focuses our attention on the architectural forms. The rhythmic repetition of arches and columns creates a powerful sense of receding space, drawing the eye towards a vanishing point deep within the structure. Quéval uses this repetition, not just as a visual element, but as a structuring principle. It echoes the architectural logic of the courtyard itself. This kind of systematic ordering can be linked to structuralist ideas. Quéval isn’t just recording a scene, he’s revealing an underlying order. The play of light and shadow on the cobblestones adds a textural contrast, highlighting the materiality of the space. This photo invites us to consider how perspective and architectural form can shape our perception and understanding of space. It’s a reminder that what we see is always structured and mediated.