Gezicht op de Oberer Gollinger waterval in Oostenrijk c. 1870 - 1890

This photograph of the Oberer Gollinger Waterfall in Austria was made by Würthle & Spinnhirn. While photography is often seen as capturing reality, this image also reveals a lot about how landscapes were managed and consumed in the 19th century. Look closely, and you’ll see the carefully constructed wooden bridge and viewing platform, built to give tourists the best possible vantage point. The making of this photograph was part of a wider project of making the natural world accessible – even stage-managed – for visitors. Photography itself was a crucial part of this, allowing tourists to take home a piece of the sublime scenery. Consider the labor involved, from the construction of the infrastructure to the photographer's craft in capturing this scene. This photograph isn't just a record; it's a document of a specific way of seeing and interacting with nature, one shaped by tourism, leisure, and the desire to possess a perfect image. Recognizing this helps us appreciate how intertwined art, craft, and social practices really are.