Schipbrug te Keulen c. 1860 - 1870

Anselm Schmitz created this stereo card of 'Schipbrug te Keulen' in the latter half of the 19th century, capturing the pontoon bridge in Cologne with a photographic lens. During this era, the Rhineland underwent significant industrialization and urbanization, shaping the city's landscape and social dynamics. Schmitz's photograph freezes a moment in this transformation, reflecting themes of progress, connection, and cultural identity. Consider how the bridge was used by people from all walks of life. The photo hints at the emergence of a middle class, with leisure activities shaping urban spaces. Schmitz, positioned as both an artist and entrepreneur, was selling images that mirrored the aspirations and experiences of his society. Stereo cards like these catered to a growing appetite for visual media, democratizing access to images of distant places, while shaping public perceptions of identity and progress. They invite us to reflect on the human stories behind Cologne’s changing skyline.