Gezicht op de Reguliersgracht in Amsterdam 1860 - 1885

This is Pieter Oosterhuis’s stereograph, “View of the Reguliersgracht in Amsterdam.” As we gaze upon this mid-19th century street, remember that Amsterdam, like many European cities of the time, was experiencing rapid urbanization and industrial expansion. The creation of photographs such as this were part of how the city was documented and understood. Stereographs were precursors to 3D images, offering viewers an immersive experience. Who had access to this technology? And what perspectives were amplified through its use? The middle classes, who had the means and desire to see and document their changing world. Oosterhuis’s choice to photograph the Reguliersgracht, a canal lined with elegant houses, speaks to the aesthetic and social values of his intended audience. The presence of figures like the man in the lower right corner reminds us of the human element within these urban spaces. What stories do they carry with them? This image offers us not just a view of a canal, but also a glimpse into the lives and social structures of 19th-century Amsterdam.