Gezicht op Sloterdijk, gezien vanaf de Haarlemmerweg 1859

This stereoscopic albumen print by Pieter Oosterhuis captures a tranquil view of Sloterdijk from the Haarlemmerweg. The composition is bisected into two near-identical scenes to create a three-dimensional viewing experience. The mirrored structure draws our eyes into the serene waters and the reflections of the quaint buildings. The structure plays with the idea of duplication and symmetry that was explored in philosophy. The near-identical composition destabilizes our perception of reality and challenges the very idea of a singular, fixed viewpoint. The subdued sepia tones and the soft focus give a sense of timelessness, yet they subtly question the objectivity of the photographic medium. Consider how the formal qualities of this stereograph, with its mirrored images, engage with broader philosophical questions about perception and representation, reminding us that seeing is never a neutral act.