Drie meisjes met boek en hond 1882

This is an undated stereograph by Sophus Williams titled "Three Girls with Book and Dog." The sepia tones and symmetrical composition create a sense of harmonious balance across the two images. The figures are arranged to maximize the emotional impact; two girls share a book, their connection emphasized by the dog and the other girl who rests beside them. We see them close together on a chair and cushioned stool which creates an intimacy within this enclosed space. The stereograph—popular in the late 19th century—became a tool for the democratization of images, and this image plays with the codes of portraiture. What could previously be afforded only by the wealthy could now become a form of middle-class domestic entertainment, and this format destabilizes established notions of access and value. The symmetry of the dual images, combined with the depth created by the stereoscopic effect, challenges our sense of perspective, drawing us into the scene. It allows for a uniquely immersive experience.