2d Fall at Shurger's, East shore Cayuga Lake, near Ithaca, N.Y. 1860 - 1865

This stereograph of "Fall at Shurger's, East shore Cayuga Lake, near Ithaca, N.Y." was created by J.C. Burritt using albumen silver print mounted on card stock. Stereographs like this one were a popular form of entertainment in the 19th century, offering a three-dimensional viewing experience. The process involved a camera with two lenses, which captured two slightly different images of the same scene. When viewed through a stereoscope, these images merged to create a sense of depth. The materiality of this stereograph speaks to the rise of industrial capitalism. The card stock was mass-produced, and the albumen printing process, while requiring skill, was also systematized for efficiency. This combination of nature, technology, and commerce reflects the era's fascination with progress and the commodification of leisure. Consider the labor involved in producing this object. From the photographer capturing the image to the workers preparing the materials and assembling the final product, each step contributed to the stereograph's creation. These objects played a role in shaping perceptions of nature, travel, and the world beyond one's immediate surroundings, blurring the lines between art, industry, and everyday life.