Bonnington Falls, on the Clyde c. mid 19th century

G. W. Wilson created this stereoscopic image of Bonnington Falls on the Clyde River sometime during his career. It was a period marked by significant social and environmental changes in Scotland. Wilson, as a commercial photographer, captured an idealized version of the Scottish landscape, one that catered to the Victorian taste for picturesque scenery. Yet, these images often mask the realities of industrialization and urbanization that were reshaping the country. The falls, while presented as a tranquil natural scene, were also a source of power for local industries. Consider the romantic portrayal of nature against the backdrop of Scotland's evolving industrial identity. The stereoscopic format itself is interesting. It offered viewers a sense of depth and immersion, a sort of escape into nature, even as they were increasingly removed from it. What do you feel when you look at this image? Perhaps a longing for a pristine landscape, or perhaps an awareness of the complex relationship between nature and human progress.