Photograph
Stereographs were an early form of virtual reality. They are made up of a pair of photographs of the same subject, taken from slightly different angles. When viewed through a stereoscope, the two images merge, creating a three-dimensional illusion. This caused a sensation in the 1850s, and, like televisions today, stereoscopes quickly became a popular entertainment feature in many homes. Stereographs were produced in their thousands and covered a wide range of subjects, from the educational to the amusing, documentary to the scientific.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Brief description | Stereograph of Jerusalem by Underwood & Underwood |
| Gallery label | This set of stereoscopic images was part of Underwood and Underwood Publishers’ popular series of travel pictures. Through the stereoscopic effect, viewers ‘travelled’ to important sites in the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Damascus Gate and prayer wall. Through a mixture of landscape shots, interior and exterior views, the viewer follows the pilgrim’s progress and gains a sense of the spiritual energy of the journey.(May 2023) |
| Credit line | The Royal Photographic Society Collection at the V&A, acquired with the generous assistance of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Art Fund |
| Summary | Stereographs were an early form of virtual reality. They are made up of a pair of photographs of the same subject, taken from slightly different angles. When viewed through a stereoscope, the two images merge, creating a three-dimensional illusion. This caused a sensation in the 1850s, and, like televisions today, stereoscopes quickly became a popular entertainment feature in many homes. Stereographs were produced in their thousands and covered a wide range of subjects, from the educational to the amusing, documentary to the scientific. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | RPS.581-2019 |
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| Record created | February 6, 2019 |
| Record URL |
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