Bethlehem Island on the Lehigh c. 1895

Curator: Here we have William H. Rau's "Bethlehem Island on the Lehigh," taken around 1895. Editor: It's extraordinarily still, almost dreamlike. The muted tones create a real sense of serenity. I am interested in how the tree reflections on the water’s surface emphasize an impeccable symmetry and almost a mirrored landscape. Curator: Rau was known for his landscape photography and his documentation of American industry. This image is striking as an idyllic retreat. In the late 19th century, photography was being used both to record the massive changes of the industrial revolution and to capture these kinds of vanishing natural landscapes, very much in line with the sensibilities of the Hudson River School movement. Editor: The monochromatic palette definitely reinforces that historical mood. Look how he uses light and shadow to define the forms of the trees. The hazy atmosphere flattens the depth of the image, compressing foreground and background, further emphasizing a two-dimensionality. Curator: I find it fascinating how Rau’s work participates in this 19th-century dialogue between romanticizing nature and the relentless march of progress. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania was becoming a major industrial center at the time; capturing these views of untouched landscapes surely was intentional, a kind of commentary. Editor: The eye is led across the water by reflections of vegetation where light meets shade. The placement of that delicate railway crossing and other subtle traces of infrastructure is strategically placed along that diagonal recession to pull the eye deeper into the scene. It masterfully invites you in, doesn't it? Curator: Yes, there’s a subtle tension that resonates between untouched nature and the evidence of human presence along the riverbank; these features illustrate the transformation underway and mark a point of inflection in local Pennsylvania history. Editor: A powerful work. Analyzing how Rau utilized a seemingly limited tonal range has offered valuable insights. The interplay of light and dark areas in order to create depth truly resonates. Curator: Indeed, considering the social and technological contexts surrounding this photograph reveals so much about America during that pivotal moment in time.