Beside the River 1868 - 1869

Whiting Bros. created this stereograph, "Beside the River," which presents two nearly identical images side by side to create a three-dimensional effect when viewed through a stereoscope. This technology offered viewers in the 19th century a chance to experience a sense of presence in locations far removed from their daily lives. Consider the cultural context of this image. The 19th century was a time of rapid industrialization and urbanization, and with it, the rise of anxieties about the loss of nature. Stereographs like this one offered a form of escape, a vicarious experience of nature for those increasingly confined to urban environments. Yet, this representation of nature is carefully mediated, a scene chosen and framed by the photographer. What narratives are privileged, and what histories are obscured in this seemingly innocent scene? As you look, consider how the act of framing nature is never neutral; it reflects the values and beliefs of those who create and consume these images.