Rijks Veeartsenijschool aan de Biltstraat, Utrecht 1859 - 1865

Pieter Oosterhuis made this stereograph of the Veterinary School in Utrecht using albumen silver print. This photographic process, popular in the 19th century, involved coating paper with albumen derived from egg whites, making for a glossy surface and clear image. The process itself involved careful labor: from preparing the paper to developing the print. In this image, albumen printing captures the detailed architecture of the school with its play of light and shadow on the building's facade. The very act of documenting the Veterinary School, speaks to the progress of science and education in the Netherlands. The choice of albumen silver print reflects a desire for precision and clarity, aligning with the scientific ethos of the institution being photographed. Considering the material and processes behind this photograph enriches our understanding of its cultural and historical significance, highlighting the intersection of art, science, and labor.