York Narrows, On The Susquehanna c. 1895

William H. Rau made this albumen silver print, entitled 'York Narrows, On The Susquehanna', sometime in the late nineteenth century. It shows the pastoral landscape of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. But what kind of nature are we really seeing? The inclusion of the railway tracks in the foreground is key. They represent the rapid industrial expansion in the United States at the time. As an artistic choice, they are also a reminder of the crucial role photography played in promoting economic growth, particularly that of the railroads. Land surveys, for instance, relied on landscape photography as evidence of the commercial possibilities of the West. While this image presents itself as a neutral record of the American landscape, it is worth remembering the social conditions under which it was made. Further research into the archives of railroad companies might reveal the precise purpose for which Rau's photograph was originally commissioned. In so doing, we can better understand the politics of imagery.