No. 186. Chicago, Burlington & Northern Rail Road Bridge Across Mouth of La Croix River 1891

Henry Bosse created "No. 186. Chicago, Burlington & Northern Rail Road Bridge Across Mouth of La Croix River" using the cyanotype process. The print presents an oval view dominated by the strong horizontal lines of the bridge and its reflection on the water. This ordered structure is contrasted by the organic shapes of the natural elements to the sides. Bosse, as a trained engineer, approaches the photographic medium with a unique understanding of form and structure. The cyanotype, with its distinctive Prussian blue, transforms the industrial subject into an almost ethereal scene. The bridge, an emblem of progress and connection, is rendered through a play of light and shadow, emphasizing its geometric complexity. Note the deliberate composition: the bridge is centrally positioned, anchoring the image, while the delicate tonality of the cyanotype process enhances the textural contrast between the rigid metal and the fluid water. This interplay creates a dialogue between technology and nature. The print invites us to consider how an industrial structure can also be perceived as an aesthetic object, challenging our perceptions of beauty and function.