Photograph
1860-1870 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
A stereograph is a pair of photographic images of the same subject taken from slightly different angles. This gives the illusion of a single three-dimensional image when viewed through a stereoscope designed to hold it.
Ownership & Use
Stereographs were mass produced. Viewing them was a popular amusement carried out in the home from the 1850s until the early 20th century. On the reverse of this stereograph is a quote from a poem by William Cowper:
'Tis pleasant through the loopholes of retreat,
To peep at such a world, to see the stir
Of the great Babel, and not feel the crowd'.
The lines refer to the pleasure of viewing this bustling city scene in comfort through a stereoscope (the 'loopholes of retreat') without physically having to jostle with the crowd.
Subjects Depicted
This stereograph is from a series entitled 'Instantaneous Views of London'. The word 'instantaneous' reveals that an important selling-point for such photographs was that they quickly captured a moment in time. In this case the crowd and carriages of a busy London street are frozen in motion.
A stereograph is a pair of photographic images of the same subject taken from slightly different angles. This gives the illusion of a single three-dimensional image when viewed through a stereoscope designed to hold it.
Ownership & Use
Stereographs were mass produced. Viewing them was a popular amusement carried out in the home from the 1850s until the early 20th century. On the reverse of this stereograph is a quote from a poem by William Cowper:
'Tis pleasant through the loopholes of retreat,
To peep at such a world, to see the stir
Of the great Babel, and not feel the crowd'.
The lines refer to the pleasure of viewing this bustling city scene in comfort through a stereoscope (the 'loopholes of retreat') without physically having to jostle with the crowd.
Subjects Depicted
This stereograph is from a series entitled 'Instantaneous Views of London'. The word 'instantaneous' reveals that an important selling-point for such photographs was that they quickly captured a moment in time. In this case the crowd and carriages of a busy London street are frozen in motion.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Albumen prints mounted on glass |
| Brief description | Stereoscopic photograph of St Paul's from the foot of Ludgate Hill, made by Underwood & Underwood, New York, USA, 1860 - 1870 |
| Physical description | Stereoscopic photograph |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Number 57 from the series 'Instantaneous views of London' |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Stereoscope made by Underwood & Underwood, New York, USA; stereographs by various photographers |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Places depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type A stereograph is a pair of photographic images of the same subject taken from slightly different angles. This gives the illusion of a single three-dimensional image when viewed through a stereoscope designed to hold it. Ownership & Use Stereographs were mass produced. Viewing them was a popular amusement carried out in the home from the 1850s until the early 20th century. On the reverse of this stereograph is a quote from a poem by William Cowper: 'Tis pleasant through the loopholes of retreat, To peep at such a world, to see the stir Of the great Babel, and not feel the crowd'. The lines refer to the pleasure of viewing this bustling city scene in comfort through a stereoscope (the 'loopholes of retreat') without physically having to jostle with the crowd. Subjects Depicted This stereograph is from a series entitled 'Instantaneous Views of London'. The word 'instantaneous' reveals that an important selling-point for such photographs was that they quickly captured a moment in time. In this case the crowd and carriages of a busy London street are frozen in motion. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 2211-1955 |
About this object record
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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