Summit of Marshall Pass c. 1870s

Editor: This is "Summit of Marshall Pass" by William Henry Jackson. It's a vintage photograph, and I find the landscape quite stark. What stands out to you? Curator: Jackson's photographs played a key role in shaping the image of the American West. He captures the sublime, yes, but consider the cultural context. What does it mean to document the "summit" of a pass? Who benefits from this passage? Editor: So, it’s not just a pretty picture, but also about the impact of westward expansion? Curator: Precisely. These images were often used to promote settlement and resource extraction. The "frontier" narrative served very specific socio-political ends. Editor: I never thought of landscape photography that way before! Thanks. Curator: My pleasure. Thinking about the cultural impact adds a new layer of understanding.