stereoscopic photographs

Taxonomy

Code

300162872

Scope note(s)

  • Refers to double pictures of the same scene that produce the effect of three dimensionality when viewed through a stereoscope. They were first envisioned in 1832 by the English physicist Charles Wheatstone, who described this as a uniquely photographic art form, since a draftsman could not draw two scenes in exact perspective from viewpoints separated only 2 1/2 inches, which is the normal distance between human eyes necessary for the three-dimensional effect. Wheatstone's mirror stereoscope was not practical for use with photographs, and the invention was not popular until the 1850s, when Sir David Brewster, a Scottish scientist, designed a simpler viewing instrument. The introduction of the collodion process, which simplified exposure and printing techniques, allowed three-dimensional photographs to become a popular craze. They may be daguerreotypes, negatives, or other forms of photographs. For images in the form of photographic prints on cards, use the more specific term

Source note(s)

  • Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus

Display note(s)

Hierarchical terms

stereoscopic photographs

stereoscopic photographs

Equivalent terms

stereoscopic photographs

Associated terms

stereoscopic photographs

1 Archival description results for stereoscopic photographs

Tin stereoscope viewer (De Jong)

Item is a compact green tin stereoscope viewer adorned with a gold leaf and painted floral design. Item is collapsible. Manufacture's brand is stamped between viewer lenses. Item comes with two silver gelatin stereoscopes from the Pocket Rotoscope a different manufacture of stereoscope viewers and stereographs. Images show portraits of celebrity women from the 20th century. Both women wear Victorian style costumes. Dutch text written on object suggests that item was a promotional stereoscope for a Chocolate and Cocoa company. This object was used to view two nearly identical photographs, or stereographs, as one three dimensional image. The stereograph would be placed in the sliding card holder and adjusted to fit the user's vision until the two images overlap to mimic a three-dimensional effect.