Gezicht op Königswinter en Drachenfels c. 1860 - 1870

Anselm Schmitz’s stereo card, captures Königswinter and Drachenfels in a double image of muted tones. The composition is divided into three horizontal bands: the textured foreground, the flat expanse of water, and the distant mountains. A solitary figure stands on the bank, anchoring the scene while emphasizing the surrounding landscape. The use of stereoscopy is critical here. By presenting two slightly different perspectives, Schmitz invites us to reconstruct a three-dimensional space. This technique not only mimics human vision but also highlights the constructed nature of perception. The image doesn't just represent a scene; it actively engages us in creating spatial depth. Consider the implications of capturing a landscape in this manner. Does it challenge the conventional representation of space and form? The stereo card, as a medium, complicates the relationship between reality and representation, prompting us to question how we perceive and interpret the world through images.