The Cañon from Toroweap Valley (looking down) c. 1875

Curator: This is a stereograph by John K. Hillers, "The Cañon from Toroweap Valley (looking down)," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The date of its creation is unknown, but Hillers lived from 1843 to 1925. Editor: It's quite striking how the stark linearity of the canyon walls contrasts with the soft haziness of the distant landscape. The light and shadow play creates a powerful depth. Curator: Hillers, as part of various geological surveys, aimed to document the American West, shaping perceptions of these landscapes for an Eastern audience and promoting ideas of Manifest Destiny. Editor: The composition is undeniably powerful. The photograph uses a clear foreground, middle ground, and background to emphasize spatial depth and the canyon's vastness. The stereoscopic effect must have heightened this perception for viewers. Curator: Indeed, the stereograph format was popular for giving a sense of three-dimensionality. Hillers' work was not merely artistic; it served as visual evidence of expansion and resource exploitation. Editor: A stark reminder that even seemingly objective landscapes are constructed through the lens of power and ideology. Fascinating. Curator: Precisely, a confluence of art, science, and policy.