Mt. Rosalie from Bellevue c. 1870s

Editor: This is "Mt. Rosalie from Bellevue" by William Henry Jackson. It's an older photograph, and I'm struck by the layers of mountains. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Look at the materiality of the image itself. How does the photographic process—the chemicals, the paper—affect our reading of the landscape, and the cultural forces driving its consumption as art? Editor: So, it's less about the mountain and more about how we consume its image? Curator: Precisely! Consider Jackson’s role in promoting westward expansion, how the image serves as a commodity, shaping perceptions of the American West. Editor: That makes me think about how photography can be both art and propaganda. Thanks for the perspective! Curator: Indeed! Examining the material and social context reframes our understanding.