Lu-lu Cascade 1875 - 1899

H. D. Udall made this stereograph, Lu-lu Cascade, using the wet collodion process, a popular photographic technique in the late 19th century. Stereographs like this one offered viewers a simulated three-dimensional experience. The rise of stereography coincided with an increasing interest in landscape photography and the expansion of tourism. Here, the ‘Lu-lu Cascade’ becomes an easily consumed ‘Imperial Gem’ that is available to the masses. In America, during the late 1800s, industrialization and urbanization were rapidly changing the social landscape. Simultaneously, the popularization of photography changed the landscape of art and challenged traditional art institutions. The historian can contextualize this image by researching the photographer, the location, and the stereography industry. This provides insights into the social conditions that shaped artistic production. In this way, we understand Udall’s work as a product of broader social and institutional forces.