Freer Glen at Watkins Entrance Gorge View 1st Glen 1860 - 1865

This stereograph of Watkins Entrance Gorge was created by J.C. Burritt using a photographic process. The images were captured and then mounted on card stock. Photography in the 19th century was a laborious endeavor, involving the careful preparation of photosensitive materials, precise timing during exposure, and meticulous development processes. The production of stereographs, like this one, required additional steps to ensure accurate alignment and depth perception when viewed through a stereoscope. Stereographs like this one provided a readily available means for individuals to experience distant landscapes and natural wonders without having to travel. The mass production and distribution of stereographs contributed to the commodification of leisure and tourism, transforming natural landscapes into marketable commodities. The labor involved in producing stereographs was often divided among photographers, printers, and distributors, reflecting the growing specialization of labor in the industrial era. Examining the materiality and production of stereographs provides insights into the evolving relationship between art, technology, and commerce in the 19th century.