Reflected Cliff c. 1875

Curator: This stereograph, "Reflected Cliff" by John K. Hillers, captures a majestic landscape; its sepia tones lend a timeless quality. What's your first impression? Editor: It's undeniably serene, almost meditative. The reflection creates this doubling effect, hinting at hidden depths, both literal and symbolic. Curator: Hillers, active in the late 19th century, often photographed the American West. His work shaped perceptions of these landscapes, fueling both romanticism and colonial expansion. Editor: Absolutely. The cliff face, mirrored in the water, feels like a visual metaphor for the way we project our own desires and anxieties onto the natural world. The fallen log seems to symbolize a transition, bridging two worlds. Curator: Indeed, these landscapes became powerful symbols, entwined with notions of manifest destiny and the displacement of Indigenous peoples. Editor: It's a poignant reminder that even seemingly objective depictions are deeply embedded in historical and political contexts. I find the visual echoes here to be quite haunting.